{"id":75628,"date":"2025-07-03T07:27:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T07:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=75628"},"modified":"2025-07-03T07:27:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T07:27:09","slug":"sources-lakers-next-targets-after-deandre-ayton-contract-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=75628","title":{"rendered":"Sources: Lakers\u2019 next targets after Deandre Ayton contract agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"
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After securing a new center with part of their MLE, the Lakers are turning their attention to other needs as they fill out their roster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Los Angeles Lakers and Deandre Ayton have agreed to a contract after the seven-year veteran was bought out Monday by the Portland Trail Blazers.<\/p>\n

According to sources close to the team, they’re focus will now shift to wings and further center depth, whether that can be found on the free agency or trade markets. Ayton had been deciding between the Indiana Pacers, Lakers, and Golden State Warriors.<\/p>\n

While Ayton was the most talented big on the market, sources say the Lakers are somewhat split internally on whether he should be considered their starting center.<\/p>\n

Ideally, they would like to land someone around his talent level with a different skill set \u2013 floor spacing, especially \u2013 but the key term used most often when describing their intentions at the position has been \u201cdepth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sources say Ayton’s deal will take up the remainder of the non-taxpayer midlevel exception this year with a player option for the second.<\/p>\n

The Lakers now have their bi-annual exception and veteran minimum contracts to hand out. De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford are among the names linked to the Lakers, but Melton is considered the likelier addition.<\/p>\n

Melton is obviously more of a guard, but he plays bigger than he’s listed and would immediately become the best point of attack defender they’ve had in years.<\/p>\n

As trade assets go, the Lakers still have Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber’s expiring contracts. They can still trade their own first-round pick in either 2031 or 2032.<\/p>\n

Dalton Knecht’s name has come up in plenty of trade discussions this summer after he was sent out in that infamously rescinded Mark Williams deal last season. Rui Hachimura is a popular target of other teams who call the Lakers, as well.<\/p>\n

Austin Reaves, even after turning down a max extension to remain with the Lakers, is not considered likely to be moved.<\/p>\n

In terms of those conversations, as previously reported, the Lakers have been in touch with the Portland Trail Blazers about Robert Williams and the Miami Heat about Andrew Wiggins.<\/p>\n

Sources say those talks hit snags, and then the Lakers’ focus was drawn to their pursuit of Ayton.<\/p>\n

They can pick up at any time, and Rob Pelinka speaks with Joe Cronin particularly often.<\/p>\n

Another name league sources have linked to the Lakers:<\/strong> Cam Whitmore.<\/p>\n

If Houston decides to shed a little salary or if they expand the Kevin Durant trade to include their acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith, Whitmore \u2013 who is looking for a larger role than he’d have on that loaded Rockets roster \u2013 is considered a candidate to be moved.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After securing a new center with part of their MLE, the Lakers are turning their attention to other needs as they fill out their roster. 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