The Lakers might soon walk into the post-LeBron James era. But before they do so, they need to look into their roster crunch, something they were supposed to figure out during the offseason anyway. They need to build their team around Anthony Davis, who has already appealed to the team to get another big player to play alongside—a request that is completely reasonable but fell on deaf ears.

Davis looked remarkable during the 2024 Paris Olympics, as he had some great players around him, and if anything, the Lakers need to take this as a hint. What they do instead is making additions of rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James as replacements for outgoing free agents Taurean Prince and Spencer Dinwiddie as the only roster changes for now. Now, what are insiders suggesting?

Given that the team needs a big guy around, veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas was high on their list during free agency, but that never came about. This was amidst quite a few other big names and failed pursuits. However, bad news for the Lakers—former Pelican Valančiūnas had already inked a deal with the Wizards two months back. Lakers insider Trevor Lane broke down Jonas Valančiūnas’ new three-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards, and there’s a catch. Even though it sounds like a big payday, only the first two years are guaranteed. So, it’s basically $9.9 million this season and $10.4 million next season.

“But to say, he [Valančiūnas] opted for more guaranteed money with Washington’s deal which is only 2 years guaranteed and less than the mid-level, not even a full mid-level deal, less than the mid-level. Wouldn’t that then suggest that the Lakers offered to Valanciunas was perhaps 1 year guaranteed and a 2nd year non guaranteed or 2nd-year team option or maybe just a partial guarantee on a second year,” Lane speculated on Lakers Nation.

“The Lakers wouldn’t go to 2 years guaranteed, instead and the Washington deal, a 3-year deal with 2 years guaranteed at below MLE money was what beat the Lakers offered, my friends, that is madness!” Lane asserted. But moving on…

Even with his shortcomings, Valančiūnas is a veteran big man the Lakers really needed, especially with Christian Wood sidelined due to an injury. Fumbling that offer when the time came shows really bad judgment and we’ve been seeing this throughout the summer. He could’ve stretched the floor with his threes and been a big body in the paint, but the Lakers totally missed their shot with him as a free agent. Now what’s even more interesting is it looks like all hopes on getting the Jonas deal are not lost on the Lakers yet. NBA reporter for ESPN, Dave McMenamin had an update on Thursday.

The gold and purple are still targeting a trade to bring Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas after he becomes eligible to be moved on Dec. 15. Considering how the Lakers are no strangers to making major mid-season trades—remember two seasons ago when they traded Russell Westbrook and others for D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt in what was a in a last-minute deadline deal that paid off well as they reached the Western Finals—it won’t be as surprising if Jonas actually agrees to make that move. So, what did Dave actually report?

Dave reported that Lebron James has now offered to take a pay cut “to open up the full midlevel exception to sign the free agent big man, but he opted for more guaranteed money from a three-year, $30 million deal in Washington.

“Still, the Lakers need a center and Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka has a proven record of getting deals done with Washington’s organization,” Dave added.

At the end of the day, it is on GM Rob Pelinka and owner Jeanie Buss for dropping the ball on this one and it ended up costing the team a major chance.

What can the Lakers do now to get Jonas Valančiūnas?

Well, with the Lakers missing out on the big man in free agency, they have one more shot at getting him. How? “If the Lakers were to go and trade for Valančiūnas effectively, what they have done is get him on the contract that they should have just given him over the summer, except now they actually have to give up assets to get him on that contract,” Lane said.

It’s a tough blow, especially since they could have locked him in without sacrificing assets had they put together a stronger offer.

If it was about less playing time, that’s one thing. But if it was all about the trade offer, then the blame falls squarely on the Lakers, considering their need for a center in this crucial season.

With the season right around the corner, Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss are in a tight spot. However, the franchise does have the younger assets to trade like Dalton Knecht, Hood-Schifino, and Max Christie if we completely rule out D’Lo from the trade market. The Lakers missed out on a big-time player, and now they are under serious pressure to make a game-changing move fast.

Can they turn things around and set the Lakers up for a solid season? Most importantly, how will JJ Redick fare?

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.