ESPN insider Bobby Marks said this week he expects the Lakers franchise to be “extremely aggressive” this summer.
I expect them to be extremely aggressive this offseason, especially with LeBron [James] likely going into, you know, he’s got one year left on his contract,” Marks said on Get Up. “I think there’s three things here. You’ve gotta take advantage of the $60 million in expiring contracts, when you’re looking at certainly players like Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura. The second thing is, they showed their hand at the trade deadline when they made that Mark Williams trade that wound up failing him on his physical. They are going to go out and get a center this offseason, we’ll see how that goes, you’ve got one first-round pick to do that. And then the third thing is, keep an eye on Aug. 2.
That is when Luka is eligible to sign that extension. So you’re trying to build for the now, but I think you also have to have an eye for the future when eventually LeBron does retire here.”
After the failed Mark Williams trade which led to the Lakers getting completely owned by Rudy Gobert in the secoind round of the playoffs, their need for a center was glaringly obvious.
Houston Rockets big man Steven Adams as a “natural fit” for the storied franchise this offseason, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reports.
As the Rockets brass continue to maneuver through offseason mode — conducting draft workouts, tying up loose ends with exit interviews and prepping for a pivotal summer — they’ll need to address several key potential free agents on the roster,” Iko wrote. “Veterans Steven Adams, Jeff Green and Jae’Sean Tate will be unrestricted free agents as of June 30 — but of the trio, Adams is seen as the clear priority, team sources told The Athletic.
The 31-year-old’s career revival this season — recovering from a right knee injury and becoming a critical part of [Ime] Udoka’s late-season rotation — is the reason hammering out his future is arguably Houston’s top priority, those sources said. But because of his two-way production, particularly his elite offensive rebounding, the possibility of Adams being lured away by a playoff team exists. Adams, who earned $12.6 million last season, would be a natural fit for teams such as San Antonio, New York, Indiana and both Los Angeles organizations. But the Rockets are operating under the assumption Adams wants to return — and will continue to speak with his representation about a possible extension, team sources said.”
