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The Los Angeles Lakers have been very active this summer while building around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves after LeBron James notified the team that he would not be returning.
It is officially a new era in Los Angeles, a transition that was foreshadowed when the Lakers traded for Doncic.
The Lakers are focused on making their roster younger while still adding legitimate talent.
The first major move they made this summer was acquiring Walker Kessler.
The Los Angeles Lakers started the process of remaking their roster in the wake of LeBron James' decision to leave with a blockbuster trade and a trio of free agency signings Wednesday.
Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that the Lakers are acquiring Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, ESPN wrote.
After completing the trade for Kessler, it did not take long for Los Angeles to make another major move.
This time, the Lakers moved on from Deandre Ayton after just one season with the franchise.
The Los Angeles Lakers are trading center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for guard Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks in 2031 and 2032, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday, ESPNs Dave McMenamin wrote.
Once the trade was completed, the Lakers were left without a backup center behind Kessler.
It appears Los Angeles is working to fill that void, as the team has reportedly shown interest in 7-foot rim protector Nick Richards.
The Heat, Knicks and Lakers are among the teams to show free agent interest in Nick Richards.
One of the best remaining centers on the open market, Richards would sign to a contender for the veterans minimum, NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
Adding Richards would be a significant move for the Lakers, as he has primarily served as a backup center throughout his career.
However, it will not be easy for Los Angeles to beat out the defending NBA champions and the Miami Heat, both of whom have strong rosters.
Richards has earned $19 million throughout his NBA career.
The Lakers will likely do whatever they can to add Richards, as pairing him with Kessler would give them two defensive-minded centers capable of protecting the rim.
Los Angeles is clearly making a commitment to improving its defense and building a tougher roster around Doncic and Reaves.
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