RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesLakers predicted to trade Dalton Knecht for $69M veteran gamble, ex-Luka Doncic teammate originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Los Angeles Lakers are still trying to figure out a lot about their roster, with plenty of new faces expected to take the floor this season. One thing is certain: there will be no LeBron James for the first time in almost a decade.
Another major question is who will start at power forward. LA has options both internally and on the trade market.
“Then, there is the power forward position. This is the last domino among the starting lineup that really does not have full clarity just yet. There are certainly players internally, and even externally, who could fill the vacancy," Lake Show Life's Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote.
If the Lakers decide to explore the trade market, they have been willing to shop Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt throughout the summer.
“The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
LA is trying to find every possible option to fill the starting role. Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk believes the Lakers could package Vanderbilt and Knecht in a trade for Dorian Finney-Smith.
“The Lakers still need to get the roster from 16 to 15. This is where the good ole reliable package of Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht comes in. Finney-Smith is under contract through the 2028-29 season. However, the last two years of his deal after the 2026-27 campaign are both not guaranteed. The Lakers could just outright waive him after this year and wipe their hands clean of the situation if things are not working out on their DFS flier. Los Angeles would get to finalize the trimming of their roster, get rid of a bad contract, and gamble on reviving a role player who once looked indispensable during his Hollywood pitstop,” Rovenchuk wrote.
The deal would not only reunite Finney-Smith with the Lakers, but also with his former teammate Luka Doncic. It would be a gamble for Los Angeles, but there is potential for the move to work out.
Finney-Smith has made $69 million in contracts throughout his career so far. The Lakers need a veteran option at the position, and he has previously thrived alongside Doncic.
More NBA news:
Lakers legend reveals why ex-Warriors champion Klay Thompson chose Heat over Lakers
Lakers predicted to trade Jarred Vanderbilt for $88M elite lob threat to pair with Luka Doncic
Lakers linked to $63M ex-Nuggets NBA champion after missing out on ex-Warrior Jonathan Kuminga
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