The Los Angeles Lakers have seemed to strike out on many of their top trade targets before the February 5th deadline, so they’ve now shifted their focus to one player they know is available.
NBA insider Evan Sidery reported that the Lakers are one of a few teams interested in trading for Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs. He’s been rumored to be available this trade cycle, and while the New York Knicks have led the charge to add the underutilized wing player, Los Angeles now wants in on the bidding war.
“The Bulls, Hornets, Knicks, Lakers, and Suns are among the teams who have registered trade interest in Jeremy Sochan,” he wrote in a post on X. “The Spurs and Sochan’s representatives are actively working towards finding him a new team before the trade deadline.”
The Spurs and Sochan’s representatives are actively working towards finding him a new team before the trade deadline.
Sochan is putting up averages of just 4.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and one assist on 48% shooting in only 13.1 minutes in 27 games. He’s been pushed down San Antonio’s rotation this season, after showing major signs of potential in the past.
Lakers Face Uphill Battle For New Trade Target After Striking Out On Others
Sidery’s reporting is the first time the Lakers have been linked to Sochan, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering he is a strong wing defender who could come in to help fix the team’s struggles on that side of the ball.
He’s in the last year of his rookie contract, making just over $7 million this season and set to be a restricted free agent this summer. Los Angeles could offer the contract of Gabe Vincent or Maxi Kleber in return to the Spurs, but if they want a shot at outbidding a team like the Knicks, the price may be higher.
According to reports, New York has eyed Sochan for a while and is willing to give up Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadiet. If that is the case, the Lakers’ interest in him might remain just that, with the chance of adding the fourth-year wing just a slight possibility after missing out on some of their other trade targets.
Los Angeles was in talks with the Golden State Warriors to trade for Jonathan Kuminga, but per multiple insiders, the Warriors aren’t interest in what the Lakers had to offer. The same is the case with Herb Jones and Trey Murphy of the New Orleans Pelicans, as, despite the Lakers’ long-term interest, they both look like they’ll stay put past the deadline.
As it relates to the grand prize of Giannis Antetokounmpo, signs point to Los Angeles waiting until the summer to target the 2021 Finals MVP, same with Golden State and New York.
Time is dwindling for the Lakers to make a move, and while Sochan could be a good addition, the team’s trade package just doesn’t match up with other title hopefuls, but for now, they remain in the hunt for a wing defender.
LeBron James Lakers Future Is Uncertain
While Los Angeles has been one team in particular eyeing moves across the league before the trade deadline, they have another growing issue on their hands, in the form of LeBron James. Along with Baxter Holmes’ reporting on his relationship with owner Jeanie Buss, Shams Charania recently confirmed the rumors of his uncertain future with the Lakers after this season.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee show, the insider said that ‘the end is near‘ as it relates to the tenure between the franchise and the player.
“The reality of what we have right here is the end of a relationship in terms of LeBron James and the Lakers,” Charania said, per ESPN.com. “Whether that comes at the end of this season if LeBron James decides as a free agent to sign somewhere else or he decides to retire or he decides to come back for one more year and decide he wants to retire as a Laker…The end is near however you wanna slice it.”
Rumors of what James will do next have recently been stoked by a new report by Dave McMenamin saying that his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, are open to adding the 41-year-old over the offseason to close out his career. It isn’t the first time James has been linked back to his old team, but McMenamin’s reporting is the first time a reputable source has directly said it can’t be ruled out.
There was a recent trade idea that saw James head back to Cleveland, and with the Lakers set to face the Cavaliers on Wednesday, his return to his longtime team could be more within reason than many thought.
While it is still uncertain as to what the league’s all-time leading scorer will do this offseason, a return back home can’t be ruled out.
Lakers Enter Bidding War For New Trade Target After Kuminga Talks Stall: Report