Confirmed deal : Lakers in Trade Talks for $30 Million Former LeBron Target Report

 

With the trade season officially beginning Sunday, December 15, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to ramp up their pursuit of Washington Wizards center Jonas Valančiūnas, per Anthony Irwin of Clutchpoints

 

Valančiūnas is one of the 85 players who signed free-agent deals in the offseason that are now trade-eligible.

 

According to those I’ve spoken to with knowledge of the situation, Washington and L.A. have already held preliminary talks about a Valančiūnas deal, and the expectation is for those talks to ramp up once he can be traded,” Irwin wrote on December 12.

 

Irwin added that the Lakers are expected to offer a package of Gabe Vincent, a salary filler and second-round pick to the Wizards.

 

However, the Wizards seem to value Valančiūnas highly based on The Athletic story on Washington’s rebuilding on the same day Irwin reported that the Lakers had held preliminary trade talks for the veteran center.

 

The Wizards have been adamant that they also plan to hold onto most of their remaining veterans as long as possible during the rebuild. In particular, Wizards officials insist that they want Valančiūnas and his professionalism around their young guys for the long haul,” The Athletic’s Josh Robbins and David Aldridge wrote.