Western Conference · Pacific · 203 updates
The Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from Utah in a sign-and-trade, sending two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round swaps to the Jazz. Kessler signed a four-year, $130 million deal, leaving Los Angeles without a tradable first-rounder for seven years.
A trade concept built with FanSpo's tools would send Dalton Knecht and three second-round picks from Los Angeles to Milwaukee for Jaime Jaquez Jr. The deal became possible this month once Jaquez's aggregation restriction from the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade expired.
Los Angeles signed forward Anton Watson to an Exhibit 10 contract Thursday, per Lakers reporter Jovan Buha. Watson spent last season with the South Bay Lakers, averaging 11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in the G League, and also played for the team's summer league squad in July.
+2Jovan Buha said on his Buha's Block show that Los Angeles remains interested in trading for a starting-caliber power forward, whether now or closer to the deadline.
Jonathan Kuminga texted Lonzo Ball podcast co-host Darren Moore to dispute reports he turned down more money from Los Angeles. Kuminga said no such offer was ever on the table before he signed with Minnesota. The denial contradicts earlier rumors that the Lakers offered him more than the Timberwolves did.
Lake Show Life's Svyatoslav Rovenchuk floated a trade sending Draymond Green to the Lakers, arguing his defense could pair with Walker Kessler and mask Sandro Mamukelashvili's weaker side of the ball. Green re-signed with Golden State this offseason on a one-year, $28 million deal.
With two roster spots open, Toronto could look at free agent Bruce Brown for depth, Raptors reporter Jeremy Brenner said. Brown spent last season in Denver, averaging 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds after prior stints with Indiana, Toronto and New Orleans.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha said on The Third Apron podcast that Marcus Smart appeared ready to leave Los Angeles even before free agency opened.
Lakers insider Khobi Price says any pre-camp addition would likely be center depth behind Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney, with Orlando's Goga Bitadze remaining a name in that conversation despite a heated in-game exchange with Luka Doncic last March that drew technical fouls for both.
AK Okereke signed a Lakers two-way deal after going undrafted, but LakeShowLife's Svyatoslav Rovenchuk predicts he'll be cut before opening night. The reasoning ties back to Memphis, where Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer expects the Grizzlies to waive several players to get under the roster limit.
