Superstar LeBron James re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he took a slight discount. The Athletic’s Jovan Buha and Shams Charania report that the Lakers could use the $5.2 million taxpayer midlevel exception to add a player like Gary Trent Jr. or Spencer Dinwiddie. James signed a two-year, $101.355 million deal instead of the two-year, $104 million maximum he could have re-signed for, according to league sources.
After being traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline, Dinwiddie was bought out by the latter team and played with the Lakers through the end of the 2023–2024 season.
During the regular season, the seasoned guard made 28 appearances for the Lakers, including four starts. He shot 38.9 percent from three-point range and 39.7 percent from the field, averaging 6.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
Dinwiddie averaged 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game overall in the 2023–24 campaign.
Los Angeles might contemplate trading for Gabe Vincent or D’Angelo Russell in order to enhance the roster elsewhere, in which case the previous second-round pick would make sense. Dinwiddie is a skilled point guard who might get time in Los Angeles either as a starter or as a substitute.
Trent is a compelling choice as a wing 3-and-D player as well. Trent averaged 13.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals a game while playing for the Raptors in 2023–24. He also shot 42.6 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Trent, a 38.6% career 3-point shooter, would be a reliable off-ball choice in lineups that include James and Anthony Davis because of his ability to create space.
Ever since he was chosen in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, Trent has amassed a respectable NBA career, playing for the Portland Trail Blazers and Raptors.
It will be intriguing to watch how the Lakers proceed this offseason as they add the final touches to their roster.
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