LeBron James #6 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James #6 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers Getty Images | Christian Petersen

KEY POINTS

  • The Lakers are reportedly willing to give up future picks for the right trade package
  • The Lakers have allegedly assured LeBron James that the franchise will improve the roster
  • Los Angeles is in pursuit of acquiring Kyrie Irving from the Nets

The Los Angeles Lakers have allegedly assured LeBron James that the roster will be improved even if it means giving up a couple of future picks.

However, agreeing to deal away those picks will depend on what players or assets will be included in the offer.

As most know, James has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will see him earn $97.1 million in the next two years.

However, the second year will be a player option–something anticipated with the four-time NBA champion wanting flexibility once his eldest son, Bronny, is ready to make the jump to the pros.

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, James agreed on the premise that the roster will be tweaked for the batter, and there is perhaps no other glaring figure linked to Los Angeles right now other than Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets.

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Despite having James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, pundits do not see the Lakers as championship contenders.

Westbrook has been a name involved in potential Irving trade scenarios.

Aside from the 2027 and 2029 picks, Joe Harris has also been mentioned in trade talks according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

But the scribe added that this is something that the Nets are immediately interested in. They want players and this is an aspect that the Lakers do not currently hold.

Aside from Westbrook, the only players the Lakers may be able to offer are Kendrick Nunn, Austin Reaves, Talen Horton-Tucker, Troy Brown Jr. and Lonnie Walker IV.

Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets
Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets Getty Images | Maddie Meyer

It should also be stressed that giving up their future picks will be limited to high-profile trades.

The Lakers also have their eye on Myles Turner and Buddy Hield but including their future first-round picks is unlikely to happen, Kristian Winfield of the NY Daily News reported.

Hence, the coming weeks of the offseason could see the Lakers make other moves to improve their roster for the 2022-23 NBA season.

The Lakers finished with a disappointing 33-49 win-loss record last season, and they are now looking to bounce back and contend for the Larry O'Brien trophy once more.

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