The July 15 edition of “The Lowe Post” was co-hosted by ESPN’s Zach Lowe and Kevin Pelton. During the show, they talked about what it would take for Los Angeles to acquire Young, who is playing on a five-year, $215.2 million maximum contract, from Atlanta and whether that prospect is currently of interest to the Lakers’ management. Lowe stated, “Trae Young could be on the Lakers right now if the Lakers were going to offer all of their picks, including now Dalton Knecht, and some other good stuff.” “Those deals have not taken place. I have heard that teams have lost interest in him, and now we are here.
Along with Knecht, who the team selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, Los Angeles has the ability to trade unprotected first rounders in both 2029 and 2031. D’Angelo Russell and the nearly $19 million he has left on his contract would probably have to be included in the deal as salary filler because Young will earn more than $43 million next season. However, some of the other “good stuff” Lowe mentions could be young talent like Max Christie, whose $32 million four-year contract was signed by the Lakers this offseason.
The fact that the Lakers and other league teams have slowed down their pursuits of Young does not preclude a resurgence.
Since his first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which spanned more than 15 years, eBron James has been able to persuade organizations to give up young talent and draft capital in exchange for players who can make a difference right away. In December, James will turn 40, and since he joined the Lakers six seasons ago, he has been in charge of the team’s offense.
Young, who is about to turn 26 years old, has a career average of 25.5 points and 9.5 assists, including 25.7 points and 10.8 assists last season for the Hawks. Young may not only relieve James of his responsibilities as point guard when the two of them are on the floor together, but he may also assume a significant portion of the playmaking duties James has been required to perform for years due to the limited options available to him.
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