Emmanuel Mudiay will stay a Laker no matter what
Following the final workouts and interviews, a source with the Los Angeles Lakers officially confirmed the team is down to two players. "We'd honestly be thrilled with either guy we have identified as our top choice. There were a couple other players we strongly considered, but when we computed our final analysis, it came down to two guys who did just enough to separate themselves out of a group of four we viewed as close together in total talent and in a different situation, we'd probably be looking at two other players. It's really that close among the Top 6 guys. We're also anticipating the Denver Nuggets to take one of those two, leaving us the other one to select."
The source refused to elaborate further, other than to say that the Lakers had no interest in trading down after initially considering it before the last round of investigation crystallized things. Whoever it is will be a foundation piece in the lineup next to Emmanuel Mudiay, who experienced a career resurgence after coming over in a trade mere minutes before the deadline expired.
Trade Rumors
Although with comparatively few assets other than cap space, the team has nonetheless been working the lines and exploring deals. Christian Wood has drawn a fair amount of interest and could see his option picked up and then traded to another team. Austin Rivers could be on his way out in a Sign & Trade deal, as the Most Improved Player candidate, despite playing exceptionally well at both guard spots this season, doesn't fit the front office's preferred culture. Cheick Diallo, though nominally listed as untradeable, has been made available as part of packages for significant consolidation moves.
One thing we won't see - Mudiay playing elsewhere for the foreseeable future. He fits seamlessly into Erik Spoelstra's system and is expected to continue seeing growth next season as the team refines his shooting mechanics. Nor will any first round selections move, though the glut of 2nd round picks next year could go out, with perhaps the exception of the Clippers' pick after free agency destroyed the team last summer.
Free Agency Rumors
Don't be surprised to see Ben McLemore get a max offer the second free agency opens this summer. GM Jestor has publicly been a long-time fan of the Kansas product, and at 28, he's still young enough to fit long-term - especially if other quality talent decides to join him with the Lakers' cap space of just shy of $50 million. A scenario could see Otto Porter also targeted alongside a return to LA for Walter Tavares after moving around since being taken by the team in the initial CSL draft.
Alternatively, the team could opt to price-drive RFAs like Kristaps Porzingis, Jae Crowder, or a return to LA for Khris Middleton, staying laser-focused on a long rebuild. Realistically, that's the most likely scenario, as the front office might well be loathe to jump the queue after the Kevin Durant debacle, and there's a lot of holes yet to fill on the team due to the low number of players under contract.
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