As the NBA trade season heats up, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a strategic position with several players potentially on the move. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers are not actively shopping forward Jarred Vanderbilt but are open to listening to trade offers and including him in packages if necessary.
The Lakers’ active roster cap for the 2024-25 season is approximately $181 million, a figure that could fluctuate depending on the player options exercised by LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell. Within this financial landscape, the Lakers have identified a core group of tradable assets, including Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell—if he opts in—and Gabe Vincent.
Buha highlights that while several players could be moved to create a more impactful roster, one player the Lakers are keen on retaining is guard Austin Reaves. “If you look at their cap sheet, and you look at who are the tradable guys, it’s Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell—if he opts in—and Gabe Vincent,” Buha explains.
“The mid-size contracts, those are the ones you cobble together to acquire another star or cobble together to acquire a higher-impact role player. The Lakers have to trade someone, and when looking at the mid-size salaries, the guy they would love to keep is Reaves. Everyone else is moveable, to an extent.”
New mailbag episode of Buha's Block:
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) May 29, 2024
— JJ Redick rumblings
— Most likely roster-building path?
— The best non-star targets
— How would Mikal Bridges fit?
— LA's future post-LeBron and more
Watch: https://t.co/HUoM4aQcBH pic.twitter.com/fCSw0Kv6Hj
Jarred Vanderbilt, who will earn $10.9 million next season, had a challenging 2023-24 season, largely due to injuries. Vanderbilt managed to average 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. While his contributions were limited, his potential as a versatile forward keeps him in the conversation as a valuable trade asset.
Austin Reaves, set to earn $12.9 million next season, has proven to be a valuable asset for the Lakers. During the 2023-24 season, Reaves played all 82 games, starting in 57 of them. He averaged 15.9 points and 5.5 assists per game, shooting an impressive 36.7% from three-point range. His consistent performance and potential for growth make him a critical piece of the Lakers’ future plans.
Also Read: Lebron James Enters Free Agency Sparks Debate on Lakers Future Priorities
As the Lakers navigate their roster decisions, the emphasis remains on maximizing their potential to acquire high-impact players while balancing the financial constraints of their cap space. The coming months will reveal whether the Lakers will hold onto their emerging star in Reaves or make strategic moves involving Vanderbilt and others to strengthen their championship aspirations.
