Lakers' Top Trade, Free-Agent Targets Amid JJ Redick, LeBron James Contract Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly locked in their next head coach.

The Lakers have agreed to a four-year deal with ESPN analyst JJ Redick, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Now that the Lakers have locked in their next target after reportedly being unable to draw Dan Hurley away from UConn, the biggest question for the franchise will be LeBron James' pending player option. Will hiring James' podcast co-host be enough to convince him to stay in Los Angeles?

That's not the only uncertainty Redick and the Lakers will face this summer. If both James and D'Angelo Russell use their options to stay in Los Angeles, the Lakers will face cap limitations when using free agency to address pressing roster needs.

Here's a look at three of the top players the Lakers could target in the trade market and free agency as general manager Rob Pelinka looks to build a playoff contender in Redick's first year on the sideline.

Jarrett Allen (Trade)

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CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 12: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots a free throw during the game against the Indiana Pacers on April 12, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Lakers are in need of some additional interior depth in order to shape a contending roster next fall.

The franchise is well aware of their need for a backup center, according to SNY's Ian Begley, who reported Tuesday that "the Lakers are monitoring their offseason options at center closely."

"Adding a traditional big man would, in theory, allow Anthony Davis more opportunity to play power forward alongside a center," Begley noted.

One possible candidate who would allow Davis to play that role is Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.

Allen, who averaged more than one block per game for the seventh straight season while shooting 63.4 percent from the field in 2023-24, could take over some of Davis' defensive responsibilities while combining with the Lakers star on the pick-and-roll.

The Cavaliers could consider trading Allen, who has struggled to find chemistry on the frontcourt with Evan Mobley in Cleveland. His availability could be limited, however, by Cavs star Donovan Mitchell's desire to keep Allen on the roster.

Brandon Ingram (Trade)

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 16: Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives with the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during a play-in tournament game at the Smoothie King Center on April 16, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Part of the reason Redick won the head coaching job was because he described his goal of "alleviating the constant ballhandling duties on James by utilizing him more off the ball," Shams Charania and Sam Amick reported for The Athletic.

Could that need for a ball-handler lead to a reunion between the Lakers and the New Orleans Pelican's Brandon Ingram?

Ingram has one year and about $36 million remaining on his contract, for which the Pelicans are entertaining trade talks, The Athletic's Kelly Iko reported Thursday.

At least one NBA general manager sees Ingram's return to the Lakers as a possibility, Heavy's Sean Deveney reported in May.

"It's an idea, if they're willing to take the chance," the anonymous Eastern Conference GM said, per Deveney. "Brandon as a third option with LeBron and Anthony Davis, it certainly makes them better, it gets them back to being a contender, or at least in that orbit."

Ingram's role as a primary ball-handler could fit well with the Lakers' desire to allow James the chance to seek more off-ball work. Los Angeles would likely need to send some contracts the other way, however, in order to fit in the final year of Ingram's deal.

Klay Thompson (Free Agency)

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - APRIL 12: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to making a basket in the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Chase Center on April 12, 2024 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)

The Lakers averaged the fewest three-point attempts of any NBA team during the 2023-24 regular season.

Would the team consider addressing that need with a shooter like Golden State Warriors veteran Klay Thompson, who ranked fourth in the league in three-pointers made last season?

Thompson, who has not yet received an extension from the Warriors, could be entering free agency after playing 11 seasons in San Francisco.

Although his production dipped during his age-34 season to 17.9 points per game, Thompson's presence behind the arc could be a draw for a Lakers team looking for more shot production from deep.

In that case, Thompson might be interested in making the trip to Southern California. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said earlier this week that Thompson "would love to be in Los Angeles."

Given the Lakers' salary situation and Thompson's decreased production, the veteran player might need to take a salary cut in order to play in Los Angeles.

If playing with James and the Lakers is a good enough draw, however, Thompson's shooting from deep could help Los Angeles field a higher-scoring offense this fall.