Earlier this month the Los Angeles Lakers made a surprising move to acquire Jose Calderon from the Chicago Bulls. Dwyane Wade agreed to terms with the Bulls forcing the front office to make a trade. The Lakers brass was willing to take on the veteran point guard Calderon as well as two second-round draft picks in the deal.
Although it seems the Lakers may be done making moves and signing players that haven’t already committed to the team, that may not be the case. Another trade could be on the horizon for the storied franchise, according to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders.
The team has held off on signing Tarik Black, Marcelo Huertas and second-overall pick Brandon Ingram, keeping an eye on what could be $13.6 million in cap room (assuming the team also waives and stretched Nick Young).
The Lakers do have an unnamed trade target in mind, but are also preserving space for another opportunistic Calderon-like deal.
The Lakers may have failed to land a big-name player this summer, but despite their shortcomings in NBA free agency, Los Angeles has put together a talented young roster. D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Larry Nance Jr., and Ivica Zubac played well in the Summer League creating some optimism for the future.
Jordan Clarkson recently re-signed with the team and has been working hard on his game during the offseason. Julius Randle has also been putting in the time in the gym and recently said he’d let his work ethic do the talking when the time comes.
Despite the optimism surrounding the young core, Mitch Kupchak and company still appear to be keeping their options open even if it is only to add some more veteran leadership or proven players to the roster. Superstar Russell Westbrook has frequently been mentioned as a trade target for the Lakers, but it remains unclear whether the team is willing to part ways with pieces of their young core for someone who is bound for free agency next summer.
