The Los Angeles Lakers are actively pursuing roster upgrades for the upcoming 2024-25 season, focusing on four specific players in the trade market.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha from The Athletic has identified Jerami Grant, Kyle Kuzma, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Cam Johnson as primary targets for the Purple and Gold.
Grant, currently under a lucrative five-year, $160 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, averaged 21 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game last season.
Former Laker Kuzma, now with the Washington Wizards, excelled with career-high averages of 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, on a four-year, $90 million deal.
Finney-Smith, a defensive stalwart with the Brooklyn Nets, contributed 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season, with two years remaining on his four-year, $55.6 million contract.
Johnson, also with the Nets, provided solid contributions with 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, under a four-year, $94.5 million contract.
The Lakers’ negotiations reportedly involve multiple teams such as Portland, Brooklyn, and Utah, focusing on player swaps and draft picks.
Buha notes ongoing discussions, indicating a strategic push by the Lakers to finalize impactful trades ahead of the season.
The Lakers’ pursuit comes after missing out on free agents like Klay Thompson and Jonas Valanciunas, prompting a shift towards trade negotiations.