One of the teams that NBA fans are most excited to see heading into the 2023-24 season is the Los Angeles Lakers. Their performance did a 180-degree turn following the trade deadline when general manager Rob Pelinka remade virtually their entire rotation on the fly.
All of the buttons that he pressed worked as the Lakers acquired Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba and Devon Reed in three separate deals. Hachimura, Russell and Vanderbilt are all back this offseason, along with Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince and Jaxon Hayes as free agent additions. Austin Reaves was also re-signed, giving the Lakers a deep, talented squad across the board.
But, if there is one thing we have learned about the Lakers, it is that they will always make a move if the opportunity presents itself. Their goal is to win championships and put the best roster possible around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Los Angeles Lakers Updates, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
If there is one weakness they will look to address during the season, it will be their perimeter defense. Prince was a good addition in that regard and Vanderbilt is a versatile defender. But the team shouldn’t be asking too much of James in the regular season as he enters Year 21.
One person to keep an eye on, in the opinion of Michael Pina of The Ringer, is Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers. With Damian Lillard being traded this offseason, the youth movement in is on in Portland. Despite signing a massive contract extension this offseason, Pina believes Grant will be the next player on the move with the Lakers being the landing spot.
“Jerami Grant will end up on the Lakers: I mentioned this possibility in a recent column. Maybe it won’t happen. Maybe the Blazers will find a different trade partner or the Lakers won’t be willing to meet Portland’s asking price. But ever since Damian Lillard’s trade request went public, Grant to the Lakers has felt like a fait accompli.”
Grant is someone who has been linked to the Lakers in the past. He would be a great addition at forward, providing the team with a capable 3-point shooter and another lockdown defender.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jerami Grant, Los Angeles Lakers Updates, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
3-and-D players are the best to place around James; it is a tried and true strategy. While there are certainly some hesitancies in acquiring Grant, such as his contract, he is a Klutch client, which is important when talking about Los Angeles.
