Lakers Reportedly Trying To Trade For A LeBron Favorite

The Los Angeles Lakers tried to sign various free agents and attempted to trade for multiple players on the trade block this summer. Unfortunately, those proved unfruitful as the Lakers will seemingly bring back the same team that lost in the first round for another run.

What makes this lack of activity even more frustrating for fans is that LeBron James reportedly gave the Lakers' front office a list of players for whom he would have taken a pay cut in free agency. One of those players was free agent big man Jonas Valanciunas. However, the 32-year-old center ended up signing with the Washington Wizards for a three-year, $30 million contract.

It turns out the Lakers are not done pursuing the Lithuanian bruiser. According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the front office will likely go after Valanciunas on the trade market.

"There was some interest obviously. He was on LeBron's list, so I think the Lakers will probably revisit that."

- Jovan Buha on Jonas Valanciunas

Valanciunas will likely be available mid-season as the Wizards are in the midst of a rebuild. A 32-year-old who needs touches on the offensive end and doesn't space the floor isn't the most ideal fit for a young, developmental team. He should be acquirable for some second-round picks and matching salary before the trade deadline.

Whether the Lakers need Valanciunas is another question. Los Angeles needs more shooting and defense, the two things JV doesn't bring to the table. He is an excellent rebounder, a great interior scorer, and a physically imposing player. However, he is not a good fit next to Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

Davis has previously talked about his desire to play the power forward more but both the Lakers and the All-Star big man need to realize that AD is a center. He needs to be close to the rim on both ends of the floor because of his shooting limitations on offense, and elite rim protection on defense. Pairing him with a traditional center is not the best use of resources.

Yet, if LeBron wants him, Rob Pelinka better trade for him because the Lakers can't afford to have an unmotivated LeBron as they hope for another deep postseason run.

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