The Los Angeles Lakers have been relatively dormant throughout the 2024-25 offseason.
Outside of re-signing LeBron James and Max Christie (along with drafting Bronny James and Dalton Knecht), the franchise hasn’t made any significant changes from last year’s 47-win team that lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
The roster is full with 15 regular contracts, and payroll is within about $45,000 of the second apron ($188.9 million).
The Lakers have been clear that they don’t intend to go over the second apron—and the only real way they can go over is by signing additional players to minimum contracts.
If this isn’t a roster the team can win with, then the path to improvement will be through trade(s).
The Lakers will likely be linked to the following names throughout the season until the February 6 trade deadline.
Not everyone listed is a good idea, but that won’t stop the rumor mill.
The Bulls transitioned away from their underperforming core this summer, sending Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder and DeMar DeRozan (via sign-and-trade) to the Sacramento Kings.
Multiple sources say the team would love to move LaVine’s big contract.
LaVine, 29, is a two-time All-Star who played at UCLA, but knee and foot injuries have diminished his availability.
He’s a talented scorer and a 38.2 percent three-point shooter (career) but a marginal defender with only four postseason games played over 10 years.
His larger salary, before considering the trade kicker, illustrates how difficult moves will be this year for the Lakers.
The franchise needs to send out more salary than it takes back while allowing room to fill the roster to the required minimum of 14 players.
