The LA Lakers’ 2024 free agency journey has been anything but smooth. With hopes of snagging a big-name, multiple stars have shut them out. Even DeMar DeRozan, once a prime target, opted for a 3-year, $73.7 million deal with Sacramento instead. Now, trade rumors involving D’Angelo Russell and Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler are swirling, and Gilbert Arenas, the self-proclaimed “Bipolar Laker fan,” isn’t holding back. He’s chiming in on what the Lakers should prioritize and, according to him, it’s all about looking at their own legacy.

In a recent clip shared on his X account, Arenas dove into the Lakers’ storied past, emphasizing how the franchise has historically built its success—not through draft picks, but by making bold trades. When co-host Joshua pressed Arenas on whether Kessler would fit the Lakers’ roster and if he’s worth giving up two first-round picks, Arenas answered, “I don’t know if the Lakers know their draft history. You don’t hold no value to your picks, anyway. You’re the Lakers, you have made your greatness through trade.”

To drive his point home, Arenas listed off stars like Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol as prime examples, emphasizing, “Your legacy is built on what you do in trading, not what you draft.”

From Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1974 to Anthony Davis in 2019, the Lakers have indeed made some smart choices in trade. Last year’s Russell Westbrook, 2 others, and a top-4 protected 2027 first-round pick for Russell alongside two others, wasn’t bad in itself either. Averaging 18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds across 76 games, the guard delivered one of his best seasons. He would also set the single-season franchise record for three-point field goals, considering the season “high level.” 

But his contract situation adds a layer of complexity. Russell exercised his $18.7 million option to remain with the Lakers for another year to grow under JJ Redick. “I love what JJ is about and I really see myself thriving under his guidance to help win at a high level,” Russell had told ESPN. But with his contract expiring, trade discussions have become louder.

Now even if the Lakers were to push for Kessler, securing him won’t be easy. The Athletic’s Sam Amick and John Hollinger have reported that Utah is not interested in the deal involving D’Angelo Russell and multiple first-round picks. This puts the Lakers in a tricky spot if they’re serious about adding Kessler to the roster, as they’ll likely need to sweeten the deal considerably.

Gil isn’t happy with Laker’s free agency

In 2024 free agency, in a bid to upgrade their roster, the franchise reportedly looked into signing DeRozan, who could’ve been a game-changer at Crypto.com Arena. But the Lakers fell short on budget, with DeRozan eyeing around $75 million—$15 million more than the Lakers had to offer. Even LeBron James was reportedly on board with bringing in fresh talent, initially open to taking a pay cut before ultimately securing his max contract.

Yet, Gilbert Arenas’ co-host Brandon Jennings questions whether DeRozan would’ve chosen L.A. regardless. “You think it would be good for him to go there on the tail end of his career… It’s a circus over here,” he joked. Indeed, the Lakers have had their share of drama lately, from coaching controversies to drafting LeBron’s son, Bronny. All this, while still searching for that elusive point guard upgrade.

So, should the Lakers have pushed harder for DeRozan? Gilbert Arenas thinks so. “We need the clutch guy at the end of the game. Last five minutes to hit those buckets. A mid-range guy,” he argued. Yet, his co-host pointed out that LeBron’s own clutch moves already cover that role. The debate only reinforces one thing: if the Lakers want to reclaim their throne, they might need to rethink their trade game.