Lakers linked to trade for Mavericks' $64M former Luka Doncic teammate with proven chemistry

Lakers linked to trade for Mavericks' $64M former Luka Doncic teammate with proven chemistry originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The Los Angeles Lakers are not finished with their offseason moves just yet, as they continue searching for pieces to complete their roster. Los Angeles has officially entered a new era with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves becoming the faces of the franchise.

>The Lakers have been preparing for this new chapter since LeBron James informed the organization he would not be returning. Now, Los Angeles is focused on building around Doncic and adding more frontcourt depth.

>“The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic," The Athletic's Dan Woike reported. "They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Mamukelashvili can play the position, too. The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Thybulle. The roster is currently at full capacity."

>The Lakers could look to add either a center or a power forward, and one name that has emerged as a potential target is Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington, according to insider Jovan Buha.

>“Based on how close the Lakers currently are to the first apron, they could not execute a deal like, say, Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht or Dalton Knecht and Jake LaRavia," Buha said. The key with trading those contracts for the Lakers would be, those are guys you are already not projecting to be on your books, and that's appealing for Dallas, but then for L.A. you are now taking back P.J. Washington,”

>A potential Washington trade makes sense for Dallas because he is one of the most valuable players on the Mavericks’ roster. If the team decides to reshape its frontcourt, Washington could be the veteran piece that brings back significant value.

>“That has fans looking at possible trades looming for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, two of the four highest-paid players on the roster. It's not that they're bad players, as they're both quite productive, but there are only so many minutes to go around in the frontcourt, and they likely have the most trade value of the veterans outside of Kyrie Irving,” SI’s Austin Veazey wrote.

>Washington would be an excellent fit for the Lakers and would address a major need for the organization. Los Angeles has been searching for a consistent lob threat alongside Doncic, and reuniting him with Washington would give him another familiar target who can finish plays at the rim.

>Washington has earned $64 million throughout his NBA career. The Lakers are looking to cap off what has already been an exciting offseason, and adding Washington would be a major move toward building a contender around Doncic and Reaves.

>More NBA news:

Heat's Bam Adebayo gives blunt feelings on LeBron James signing with 76ers instead of Miami • >Cavaliers linked to Mavericks' $64M versatile PF with Finals experience, Jonathan Kuminga Plan B • >Warriors predicted to sign $15M former first-rounder after waived by 76ers for LeBron James • >Warriors predicted to trade Steph Curry for $451M veteran package in blockbuster deal