The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly eyeing Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez and Washington Wizards big man Jonas Valanciunas as potential trade targets.
This interest comes amid a 5-4 start to the Lakers’ season and ongoing concerns about the team’s defense, currently ranked 24th in the league, as reported by Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
The Purple and Gold appear focused on improving their defensive performance, which has been an area of concern early in the season.
Lopez, a former Defensive Player of the Year finalist, and Valanciunas, an effective interior presence, could help address these defensive gaps if acquired.
Valanciunas, 32, is currently under a three-year, $30.3 million contract with Washington, which he signed during the offseason. In 21.3 minutes per game, he is averaging 13.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.
Lopez, who at 36 is in the final year of his two-year, $48 million contract with the Bucks, is putting up 9.3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1.4 assists in 30.8 minutes per game.
Rumors indicate that the Lakers may include point guard D’Angelo Russell in a potential trade to make salaries match. Russell, who has served as a key playmaker and scorer for the team, could be leveraged as outgoing salary to facilitate a deal, providing financial flexibility for the Lakers to bring in additional defensive support.
