Los Angeles Lakers: With multiple undrafted free agent signings, the team is assembling a strong NBA Summer League roster. Former NC State big man Mohamed Diarra becomes the latest notable Lakers’ addition following the 2024 NBA draft. Draft Express’ Jon Chepkevich praised Diarra as a “hellacious rebounder” at NC State.
“NC State’s Mohamed Diarra has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers for NBA Summer League, I’m told,” Chepkevich detailed in a June 28, 2024, message on X. “The 6’10” French big man has incredible energy, is a vicious rebounder, and really elevated his game in March to support the Wolfpack’s runs in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.”
Diarra was one of the key players during NC State’s improbable 2024 Final Four run. The Wolfpack
The Lakers are expected to be “aggressive” in finding a potential NBA trade for D’Angelo Russell: Insider Los Angeles point guard D’Angelo Russell will not hit NBA free agency. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Russell is picking up the final season of his two-year, $36 million contract. The big man posted 12 or more rebounds in three of these five NCAA tournament games. The big man also posted 14 or more rebounds in four straight ACC tournament matchups.
In an article published on June 29 under the headline “D’Angelo Russell sticking around L.A.”, Buha stated, “How long Russell remains a Laker is another matter altogether.” According to league and team insiders, the Lakers are anticipated to pursue deals centered around Russell with vigor after failing to deal Russell before the 2024 trade deadline. Los Angeles’ most significant trade asset now is Russell’s expiring deal, especially when it comes to salary-matching.
There is a belief among the Lakers’ internal players that the backcourt combination of D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves has a finite ceiling. Reaves has a multi-year contract that benefits the organization, is younger, more adept defensively, and produces greater results in the playoffs.
In order to become a free agent, LeBron James is choosing to leave his contract with the Lakers. According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, James is thinking about accepting a lower salary with Los Angeles so that the team can sign free agents. It would be interesting to observe the exact salary reduction James is willing to accept in order to stay in Hollywood.
“LeBron James is thinking about creating a path for the team to get the full midlevel exception for the right targets, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport,” Haynes stated in a June 29 message on X. James opted out to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
