Lakers Eyeing to Pair LeBron James With $30 Million Center
Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards is a name to watch as a trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on September 12. Valanciunas was on LeBron James’ shortlist of players he was willing to take paycut for during the NBA free agency to open their $12.9 million full midlevel exception, ESPN also reported in July. However, Valanciunas opted to sign for more guaranteed money with the Wizards via sign-and-trade with his former team New Orleans Pelicans for three years, $30 million.
Valanciunas’ trade restriction will be lifted on December 15. The 6-11, 265-lb Valanciunas averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Pelicans last season.
Lakers rookie head coach JJ Redick said in an interview with Sirius XM NBA Radio during the NBA Summer League in July that they tried and would love to add a “bruising” big man, without directly mentioning Valanciunas’ name. “You look at the Western Conference right now, whether it’s Denver, Minnesota, OKC with what they added, certainly Memphis, they’re going to be back in the hunt, they added Zach Edey. Certain matchups in the playoffs, you’re going to need a lot of size.” McMenamin added in the ESPN report Davis made it clear to the Lakers he’s preference is to play more often with another big man.
Currently, the Lakers’ center rotation is shallow with Christian Wood out for at least eight weeks after a knee surgery. They only have Jaxson Hayes and the untested Colin Castleton, who is on a two-way contract, as their other healthy centers on their roster.
