Lakers Jumping Through Hoops to Open Additional Max Slot Alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis
By Michael Luciano
While basketball Twitter was rightly set ablaze with the news that Anthony Davis was going to be traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers, the trade can not be finalized until July 6. If the Lakers want to get a max spot with the way their roster currently stands, that date will need to be postponed until July 30.
In order to free up a max slot alongside LeBron James and Davis, the Lakers are offering the contracts of second-year players Moritz Wagner, Isaac Bonga, and Jemerrio Jones to other teams.
Lakers are trying to expand Anthony Davis trade and create ability to open max salary slot on July 6, sources tell @BobbyMarks42 and me. Lakers offering contracts of Mo Wagner/Jemerrio Jones/Isaac Bonga to additional teams, so LA can satisfy CBA rules on creating $32M in space.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2019
Wagner, a first-round selection just a year ago, would be the most intriguing option of that group.
With 4.8 points and 2.0 boards last year, Wagner isn't exactly an All-Star yet, but has a lot of potential for a team who needs a young big who can shoot. Jones, a former G League player, is 6-5, 200 pound guard who somehow averaged 13 rebounds per game in college and 8.2 in 23 games last year.
With Jones' salary not guaranteed for next year, the Lakers will only have FIVE players under contract next season. Their opportunities to cut this roster down for cap space are incredibly slim.
Current guys on the Lakers roster and their salaries for next year:
— h_ali1099 (@Ali1099H) June 15, 2019
LeBron James $37,436,858
Moritz Wagner $2,063,520
Kyle Kuzma $1,974,600
Isaac Bonga $1,663,861
Anthony Davis $27,093,019
That's it
It might take some gymnastics to get the Lakers to a spot where they could sign a max free agent, but at least they have an incredibly talented, stable front office to get that done. Oh wait...