Lakers Rumors And News: Which Players Might Get Traded After Latest Signing?

The Los Angeles Lakers on Friday signed veteran forward Michael Beasley to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. It was yet another deal that may signal a future blockbuster trade due to the roster's high number of players not signed beyond the 2018-19 season and as the Lakers look to find the right pieces to play alongside LeBron James.

The addition of Beasley likely marks the conclusion of a busy free-agent offseason for the Lakers. Since the arrival of James on July 1, the Lakers have added several experienced players to one-year deals, which includes Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and now Beasley, but it doesn't mean that the front office is done shaping the team.

The Lakers have James and eight players under contract for the 2019-20 season but they mostly include reserves who are either not expected to see much playing time or could be longshots to even make the roster, such as second-round draft picks Isaac Bonga and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, as well as 33-year-old Luol Deng, who played in just one game in the 2017-18 season.

With so many elite players expected to file for free agency in the summer of 2019, the Lakers appear to be positioning themselves for another huge signing by not committing to long-term deals. The star-studded list includes Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, DeMarcus Cousins, Khris Middleton, Kemba Walker, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan and Hassan Whiteside.

Before the Lakers try to add another superstar next summer they can continue to fine-tune their current roster. General manager Rob Pelinka and team president Magic Johnson may consider trading for a star player between now and the February trade deadline with the interest of enticing a free agent in the offseason.

With plenty of expiring contracts, draft picks and some quality young talent under rookie-scale contracts, Pelinka has more bargaining power than in previous years, which means the Lakers could land a starter that will fit well alongside James. Though the Lakers likely remain high on burgeoning players like Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, rookie Mo Wagner and even sparingly used center Ivica Zubac, it's possible Pelinka could package one or more of those players along with one of the newly acquired veterans and draft picks if it means landing an All-Star.

According to NBA insider Chris Sheridan, the Lakers have numerous trade options and some of the players that have been mentioned include Love, Damian Lillard, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal and John Wall.

There's also the case of Leonard, who despite recently being traded from the San Antonio Spurs may not last too long with the Toronto Raptors. Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, has reportedly said that Leonard will ultimately land in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, trading or stretching the $18.8 million owed to Deng next offseason remains one of the Lakers' top priorities. The Lakers may consider offloading Deng's contract by attaching it with a young player who may not fit with their rapidly changing roster.