NBA offseason winners and losers: Lakers have seemingly struck out; Thunder, Nuggets going opposite directions

We reserved judgment on the Lakers’ summer for as long as we could, but it’s finally time to state what is becoming increasingly obvious: L.A. has seemingly struck out on virtually all its summer targets. We’ll see whether some Trae Young rumors can get fired back up (and I’m sure they will), but for now, as we’ll detail below, with DeMar DeRozan likely out of the picture, the Lakers look like they’re going to be the musical-chairs team left standing. 

In other news, unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that Paul George is going to Philadelphia and Klay Thompson is going to Dallas. Free agency is more than off and running — it’s darn near over. Only a few obvious offseason questions remain: Where will DeRozan end up? Will Lauri Markkanen and/or Brandon Ingram be traded? If so, where?

Looking at everything we’ve seen so far, below are the offseason winners and losers. Understand this is a fluid list. Things can change quickly. But here’s how it looks at the moment. 

Loser: Los Angeles Lakers

We keep hearing about this (air quotes) third star they’re looking to bring in, but forget a star; the Lakers are striking out on role players. Klay Thomson told them no, and he had every reason to end his career in Los Angeles, where he was born and where his dad won two championships and still serves as a Lakers radio commentator. 

LeBron James practically dared Rob Pelinka to get something significant done by saying he would consider taking a pay cut in the neighborhood of $20 million on the first year of his most recent deal if it meant the Lakers could finally add that third big piece, but that offer went out the window Wednesday morning when James inked a two-year, $104 million deal. 

That puts the Lakers past the dreaded second apron ($188.9M in total payroll), which largely cripples roster construction in various ways. For one, it basically rules out DeRozan, who was seen as really the last hope at salvaging the summer. 

In fact, the Lakers would have to get not just below the second apron, but the first apron ($178.1M)…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-offseason-winners-and-losers-lakers-have-seemingly-struck-out-thunder-nuggets-going-opposite-directions/

Author : Brad Botkin

Publish date : 2024-07-04 03:20:25

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