With 16 players on guaranteed contracts for 15 standard places in the squad Lakers will need to trade or release at least one of those 16 before opening night. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPointsfront office has explored the possibility of a consolidation trade (i.e. two-for-one) “quite a bit” this offseason and may be able to pull off such a deal for Buddy Hieldwho was recently traded from Atlanta to Charlotte to Chicago, but turned it down.
Siegel identifies Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy as the players most likely to be involved in a consolidation deal — and as the players most likely to be at risk of being cut if a good deal doesn’t materialize by opening night. Knecht will make about $4.2 million this season, while Hardy’s cap hit is $6 million. While both players have team options for 2027/28, neither currently have any guaranteed money beyond this season.
Siegel suggests that Bykov a great man Jalen Smith that’s the kind of target that could make sense for the Lakers, though it’s unclear if he’s one that Los Angeles is actually chasing or if Chicago will want to move him for a package that includes Knecht, Hardy and some minor draft capital.
We have more on the Lakers:
- New Lakers center Walker Kessler was limited to just five games last season with a shoulder injury, but will be tasked with anchoring Los Angeles’ defense in 2026/27 and believes the team has the personnel to be very effective on that shoulder end, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Look, I think we’re going to be a bad defensive team.” Kessler said Tuesday. “I think people don’t take into account how good our perimeter defense is going to be. A lot of guys are very smart on the perimeter and positionally can play very good defense. We have guys that are just hawks.” The Lakers are ranked 17th and 20th in defensive rating Jay Jay ReddickFirst two seasons as head coach.
- It’s safe to assume that players like Kessler Luka Doncicand Austin Reeves will play heavy minutes for the Lakers this season, several spots in the rotation are up for grabs, according to Redick, who suggested this week that there will be competition for playing time during training camp and the preseason. “It’s a meritocracy” Redick said, trans Tuc Ni Nguyen of The Los Angeles Times. “You have to earn your minutes and root for your teammates while you’re doing it.”
- Doncic called the Lakers’ offseason roster moves “underrated.” according to Nguyenand Kessler expressed confidence that the team is capable of competing for the title. “Without a doubt, without a doubt” Kessler said (story via Hobie Price of The California Post). “We’ve got a lot of great tools and a lot of versatility. Guys are already getting along. Bonds make championship teams, and we can definitely be a contender.”
- Redick admitted he was surprised by the news that the assistant coach Bob Beyer was retirementbut he expressed his appreciation for Beyer’s time with the Lakers. “He’s someone I clearly trust and believe in.” Redick said, according to Nguyen. “He’s an incredible teacher. He’s been an incredible mentor to a lot of our young coaches and an incredible role model.”