Lakers Signing Update: Interested in Swapping Markkanen and Carter Jr. Unlikely to pursue Trent Jr

On July 12, Beijing time, according to NBA reporter Sean Deveney, the Lakers are interested in getting Jazz star Markkanen and Magic center Wendell Carter through trades.

"There's a player to watch who can help the Lakers meet some conditions and remains a possible trade target: Magic center Wendell Carter," Deveney wrote in the report. One executive said he was still the kind of player the Lakers should be looking for. The executive said 'quite young, probably a little underrated because of his red flags (injuries), but his skills are still on the line, the contract is good and it makes sense for them.' The Lakers are keeping an eye on the player, but a lot of teams are looking at him. He could be a backup for the Lakers and become a beast. ”

Deveney said the Lakers could send Russell and Schifino (or a first-rounder) to the Magic to trade Carter.

In addition, the executive also mentioned that the Lakers are interested in pursuing Jazz star Markkanen, but may lack enough leverage because the Jazz's asking price will undoubtedly be high. Previously, many teams, including the Spurs and the Warriors, were interested in acquiring Markkanen, and the Jazz were likely to renew his contract.

Last season, Carter played in 55 regular season games, averaging 11 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from three-point range. He has two years left on his contract, $11.95 million for the 2024-25 season and $10.85 million for the 2025-26 season. Markkanen played in 55 regular-season games, averaging 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from three-point range. He has one year left on his contract and a salary of $18.04 million for the 2024-25 season.

Separately, Stein reports that the Lakers are unlikely to pursue Trent Jr. at this time.

A source close to the process said this week that unless the Lakers can stay away from the second line, they won't even have a chance to pursue Trent Jr...... No matter how easy it seems to him to be traded. Keep in mind that after James signed a new two-year contract (nearly $3 million less than his max salary), the Lakers are just a little bit shy of the second tier. ”

In the 2023-24 season, Trent Jr. played in 71 games, averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, shooting 42.6% from the field and 39.3% from three-point range. It was previously reported that the Raptors were willing to bring the sharpshooter back at an annual salary of $15 million when the negotiation window opened last month, but Trent Jr.'s camp wants a salary raise from his $18.5 million last season, and the asking price is reported to be around $25 million.