The Lakers, as currently constructed, are a poor defensive team that struggles against younger, more athletic teams. Although Luka Doncic is having a career year and LeBron James and Austin Reaves are turning in All-Star-caliber seasons, Los Angeles is still a step behind the other contending teams around the NBA.

The lack of activity at the trade deadline supports the reporting that the Lakers will look to make their splash in the summer when they’re armed with more tradable draft capital and cap space.

In terms of free agency, there are several 3-and-D wings that could be had and a few of them were named as potential targets, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:

An unrestricted free agent who has been discussed internally, sources told ESPN, is Andrew Wiggins, but he has a player option with Miami he could exercise. Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes and Dean Wade are other players who fit that profile.

The Lakers have also privately discussed restricted free agents Tari Eason and Peyton Watson, sources told ESPN, and could land the latter if Denver, which already has $215 million in salary committed to returning players for next season, doesn’t match the offer sheet.

Some of these are names we’ve seen before. Andrew Wiggins was arguably the most popular name linked to the Lakers this past offseason, and he remains an intriguing option. A perimeter defender who can knock down an open 3-pointer and comes with championship experience would be a valuable addition to Los Angeles.

It’s not a foregone conclusion that Wiggins will even be a free agent this summer, however as he has a $30.2 million player option in 2026-27 that he could very well pick up.

The Lakers may also want to target the younger players available in order to match up better with Doncic’s timeline. With that in mind, Tari Eason and Peyton Watson would be excellent targets because of their skillsets and upside. Watson, in particular, seems attainable given his expected price tag and Southern Californian roots.

Attracting a star player to come to L.A. has always been the playbook for the front office, but with Doncic already locked down they need to surround him with complementary pieces. The modern NBA is built around speed, length and athleticism so the purple and gold should be as aggressive as possible for players with those attributes come the summer.

Lakers believe they would be on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s shortlist of trade destinations

With more first round picks to trade, Los Angeles can make a run at nearly any player in the league. The big prize of the summer is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who appears ready to be moved and the Lakers believe they would be on his shortlist of trade destinations should he actually ask out.

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While LeBron was the biggest name playing this weekend, he was far from the only star as Jayson Tatum, Dejounte Murray and Aaron Gordon all suited up as well. Additionally, a number of young players such as Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Tari Eason played as well.

For Eason in particular, this was a moment he had dreamed about since he was a child and he took to Twitter to thank the Lakers’ star for coming out and participating in the game:

If you know me then you know today I achieved a lifelong dream playing and meeting my idol @KingJames ? appreciate you man fr

— Tari Eason (@TAR13ASON) August 21, 2022

Eason played his college ball at LSU after spending his freshman season at Cincinnati and was just drafted 17th overall by the Houston Rockets. He is also a Washington native having played high school ball at Garfield in Seattle.

Of course, these days most of the players entering the NBA grew up watching and idolizing James, so Eason is likely one of many who dreamed of this moment. But in case anyone was questioning how serious this was for the Rockets rookie, his mother Teroya shared a little conversation she had with her son:

He said “Mom I told ‘em I’m on Bron. I knew he wanted the rack. I know his whole bag. There’s NOTHING he can’t do. I’ve been defending him in my mind since I was 3” Y’all, this was the greatest moment of my sons life. And it’s not even close. pic.twitter.com/LLoyTXZzi0

— MOMSTER® (@teroyaeason) August 21, 2022

Unfortunately for those in attendance, the game had to be called off in the middle of the second quarter as players began slipping on the court due to condensation on the floor. Fans were obviously disappointed as were the players themselves, but it was still a moment to remember for many.

James signs two-year extension with Lakers including a player option

Despite entering his 20th NBA season, the Lakers were adamant about signing James to a contract extension this summer and the two sides were eventually able to agree on a deal.

The two-year extension is worth $97.1 million and includes a player option for a third season and makes him the highest-earning player in NBA history.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called LeBron a generational player who is “even more impactful as a human being.” Pelinka added that the Lakers “are thrilled to continue our partnership with him, ensuring he’s a driving force of Lakers culture for years to come.”

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