SUMMARY
- Kendrick Perkins has hinted that the Los Angeles Lakers are planning a significant move in the upcoming summer.
- The financial constraints of the team might make it challenging to bring in a third superstar without significant trades.
The Los Angeles Lakers will certainly be making a big splash this summer, according to an ESPN personality. The former center of the Cleveland Cavaliers and an ESPN sports analyst, Kendrick Perkins, dropped a bomb on the Lakers’ fans. Streaming on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on February 14, Perkins said that a superstar is on the way for the Lakers.
It’s worth noting that the California team didn’t make a move before the NBA trade deadline. Fans were speculative about this decision, considering the inconsistent record this season and one before this as well. However, now it seems like the front office was trying to not burn their resources, as they were planning to make a big move this summer. Perkins said, “The Lakers need to get through this season because another superstar is on the way this summer.”
“Another superstar is on the way for the Lakers this summer. I can’t reveal who that superstar is, they trust me not to air that information out… it’s a match made in heaven for Anthony Davis.” 👀
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 15, 2024
Adding to the rhetoric, he also exclaimed, “They trust me not to air this information out on who this player is going to be… a match made in heaven for Anthony Davis.” However, fans must brace for impact, as the financial status of the team might not allow them to bring in a third superstar without any major trade. And, in times like these, the fans might be right about LeBron James leaving the Lakers next season.
The Los Angeles Lakers might be planning for a LeBron James-less team
LeBron is holding a $51.4 million player option after this summer. If the player chooses to exercise that, then the Lakers might have another shot at becoming title contenders; otherwise, the James-less team might have to outsource a massive talent. It’s a fact that Jeanie Buss and the front office need to buckle for a James-less season, as he might be eyeing getting traded to the team that will draft Bronny.
ESPN sources are claiming that ‘The Akron Hammer’ will re-sign with the team instead of exercising the player option. However, other championship contenders like the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers might make it tough. There’s enough speculation around the fact that these two teams are in line to acquire the 39-year-old power forward this summer. While all this is happening, the California team seems to be short-listing players for the point guard position.
Are the Los Angeles Lakers planning to trade a point guard?
Heading into the offseason, the ‘Show Lakers’ might be planning to acquire a point guard, as the NBA market is echoing. The team seems to be amplifying their interest in the point/guard position and superstar players that satisfy this requirement. The two prominent names on the list might be Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell is entering the terminal year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the San Antonio Spurs could also make a move to acquire Trae Young. Apart from these two, another name that is escalating the conundrum is Jamal Murray. However, Murray doesn’t fit the bill of a ‘superstar’ player right now. Kendrick Perkins did a commendable job in building the suspense, while the Lakers are trying to steer clear of the spiral season.