As the NBA preseason nears, the Los Angeles Lakers Eye Jonas Valanciunas with the possibility that this could be LeBron James’ final season, the lack of significant offseason moves has raised concerns among fans. However, the Lakers have shown a knack for making impactful in-season adjustments, like last year’s trade deadline deals that propelled them to the Western Conference Finals.
Valanciunas: A Strong Fit for the Lakers
This season, the Lakers may once again look to strengthen their lineup midseason. The team expressed interest in acquiring Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas, according to Jovan Buha. Standing at 6’11” with a 7’5” wingspan, Valanciunas is viewed as an ideal addition to bolster the Lakers’ frontcourt.
Valanciunas is a compelling trade target for several reasons. Known for his rebounding ability and scoring both inside and outside the paint, he consistently delivers strong performances. During his three seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, Valanciunas averaged 14.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, while maintaining an impressive 61.2% true shooting percentage, despite playing only 26.1 minutes per game.
Trade Possibilities for the Lakers
The Wizards might not retain Valanciunas, even though the Pelicans didn’t re-sign him The Wizards are likely to trade Valanciunas later this season, making him a prime target for a Lakers team eager to enhance their playoff chances.
Lakers eye Jonas Valanciunas, adding Valanciunas to the roster would enable Anthony Davis to spend more time away from the rim while maintaining interior presence and floor spacing. While Valanciunas isn’t a prolific three-point shooter, he has shot around the league average from beyond the arc over the past three seasons. His presence would allow the Lakers to play big, with a frontcourt featuring James, Davis, and Valanciunas a combination that could significantly improve the team’s defense, which was only average last season despite Davis’ dominant play.
There’s also speculation that if Kyle Kuzma remains with the Wizards as the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers might attempt to package a deal involving both Valanciunas and Kuzma. While such a move may be months away, it gives the Lakers valuable midseason targets that could help them contend for another title.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Lakers to see if they can make the necessary moves to complement their superstar trio and make a deep playoff run in what might be LeBron’s final season in Los Angeles.
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