The L.A. Lakers are one of just a handful of teams in the NBA who have yet to really join the frenzy of free agency in the opening few days of this year’s off-season.

But, while LeBron James and Anthony Davis are looking for the Lakers to pursue a third star alongside the pair, league insider Mark Medina gets the impression that the front office are looking more toward ensuring that their roster has ample depth, which could ‘frustrate’ the superstar duo.

James Putting Pressure on the Lakers?

Reportedly willing to take pay cut to help L.A. land another star player

It has all been quiet on the Lakers’ front in the early stages of the 2024 off-season. Free agents are already beginning to come off the board at rapid pace, while some are still deciding on their next destinations.

One of those is LeBron James, who decided to decline his $51.4 million player option, which sees him currently on the market, though it is expected that he will re-sign with the Purple and Gold, especially now that his son, Bronny James , is on the team after being drafted with the Lakers’ 55th selection in the 2024 NBA Draft .

But, in the build-up to free agency, it became more apparent that James was perhaps taking things into his own hands, with reports emerging that suggested he was willing to re-sign at a significantly lower rate on the premise that Los Angeles would use the extra capital to pursue a third star to partner alongside himself and Davis.

One of the players that James was reportedly willing to take a pay-cut for was Klay Thompson , who, after 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors , has decided that now is the time to move on.

Having reportedly listened to offers from the Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers , and the Philadelphia 76ers , he instead opted to sign a three-year, $50 million deal to join the Dallas Mavericks off the back of their trip to the NBA Finals.

Another player who has emerged as somebody who James would be willing to take a lower salary for is California native, DeMar DeRozan , according to a report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, speaking on The Hoop Collective podcast (h/t Real GM), who also reports that there is ‘another one or so’ too, though, at least for now, that name – or names – remain anonymous.

While it was originally expected that the 34-year-old would come to an agreement with the Chicago Bulls over an extension to remain with the team, it has come to light that the Bulls trading Alex Caruso o for Josh Giddey was the ‘final straw’ in making his final decision that he would ultimately depart from the team.

Now that Thompson is officially off the market, the Lakers’ main focus may now shift toward trying to lure the six-time All-Star.