Despite losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the opening round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, the team has been garnering a lot of attention. They are the Lakers, to start.
That should be obvious. The Lakers will always be the talk of the town, no matter how they look. People should anticipate hearing more about the Lakers now that the NBA is in the offseason. The team has already been mentioned in connection with a number of players in trade rumors, including those involving Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso, two assets of the Chicago Bulls.
The same trade package that the Sacramento Kings twice made an offer to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam is returning to the well. Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, and draft pick compensation are included in the offer. It is known that Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso were on their calls with Chicago.If the Kings sign at least one of those players—especially LaVine, who is unquestionably a greater star than Caruso—it won’t sit well with the Lakers and their supporters. LaVine’s current contract has a maximum of three years left on it, plus a $48.967 million player option for the 2026–2027 season. Caruso, a former Laker, inked a four-year, $37 million contract with the Bulls in the summer of 2021. He is now in the last year of the agreement.
The Lakers could also be interested in LaVine and Caruso, but they should definitely take care of their coaching staff before making any moves.