A number of LA Lakers writers have asserted that the workforce ought to goal just lately bought-out 11-year veteran wing Will Barton within the buyout market.

In different information, the Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly had no real interest in re-signing combo guard D’Angelo Russell earlier than buying and selling him to LA.

On that be aware, listed here are the newest rumors surrounding the LA Lakers as of February 23, 2023.

Analysts consider LA Lakers ought to goal Will Barton

Will Barton finalized a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, based on ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The veteran is now free to signal with a playoff contender earlier than the March 1 deadline for gamers to stay playoff eligible.

Barton struggled with inefficiency throughout his lone season in Washington. Nonetheless, he has nonetheless confirmed to be a helpful wing scorer for the Denver Nuggets prior to now. This is the reason many Lakers writers, together with Jason Reed of Lake Present Life, consider LA ought to goal Barton.

“Whereas he’s not a standard small ahead (which is what the Lakers lack), he can nonetheless present minutes on the wing as he’s not one other undersized guard. At six-foot-six, he can greater than maintain his personal because the three in a lineup,” Reed wrote.

“The previous Portland Path Blazer and Denver Nugget doesn’t have huge quantities of playoff expertise however he has been in massive spots. Barton has performed in 29 playoff video games and as seen within the clip above, has proven that he can hit a giant shot in a giant second.”

In 40 video games for Washington, Barton, aged 32, averaged 7.7 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.4 assists per sport on simply 38.7% capturing. Barton has profession averages of 11.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.7 apg, 0.7 spg and 1.3 3pg whereas capturing 43.1% and 35.5% from deep.

It stays to be seen if the Lakers will in the end pursue Barton following their flurry of strikes on the commerce deadline.

Timberwolves had no real interest in re-signing D’Angelo Russell

The LA Lakers acquired D’Angelo Russell from the Minnesota Timberwolves forward of the commerce deadline in a three-team deal involving Utah. Russell has since carried out fairly effectively in three video games for LA. Nonetheless, a latest report from Darren Wolfson on the “The Scoop w/ Doogie” podcast shed some regarding gentle on why Russell was so available:

“Now that Russell is gone, he’s in LA, simply know this: Tim Connelly by no means needed to increase the upcoming free agent,” Wolfson reported.

Most would agree that Russell is a proficient offensive participant. Nonetheless, his shot choice and defensive efforts have come into query prior to now. This was possible a giant purpose why Minnesota was prepared to maneuver on from him.

It stays to be seen if the Lakers will expertise comparable points with Russell shifting ahead. However thus far so good for Russell throughout his second stint with LA.

By three video games for the Lakers, Russell is averaging 17.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.7 apg and a couple of.0 3pg on 45.0% capturing. LA (27-32, thirteenth within the West) has gone 2-1.

Potential LA Lakers free agent goal switches to Klutch Sports activities Group

Toronto Raptors star level guard Fred VanVleet has lengthy been rumored to be a goal for the LA Lakers. VanVleet is anticipated to say no his $22.8 million participant choice to change into an unrestricted free agent this offseason. It will present the Lakers with a possible alternative to signal him.

Curiously, VanVleet has reportedly signed with Klutch Sports activities Group, the company that Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are represented by. This has solely fueled extra rumors of VanVleet probably heading to LA.

VanVleet is averaging 19.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.6 spg and three.0 3pg whereas capturing 39.4% and 34.4% from deep. Regardless of having a down 12 months efficiency-wise, VanVleet continues to be a confirmed NBA champion and was an All-Star simply final season. He’s additionally turning simply 29 years previous later this week. VanVleet may show to be the lacking piece for the Lakers in the event that they don’t get again on observe to complete this season.