3 Players with complicated contract situations Lakers could trade for in 2024-25

The Los Angeles Lakers have committed to their current core for the start of the 2024-25 season. It's a fact that's been met with mixed opinions, with many embracing the stance that Los Angeles is squandering an opportunity to win a second title with Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

The slow and cautious approach to the offseason, however, has perfectly positioned the Lakers to make a splash at the 2025 NBA trade deadline.

One of the uncomfortable truths facing NBA franchises is that not every player can be paid what they deserve. Even in the event that they're worth every penny, stricter salary cap rules will inevitably convince teams to refrain from paying certain players.

Other options will thus be made available to them, including the possibility of an in-season trade to enable both sides to walk away with value.

The Lakers are ideally positioned to capitalize on this reality as they begin to build for the era beyond LeBron James. They're also the perfect team to swing for the fences on a player who could help extend James' career.

The question is: Which players might ultimately become available due to their contract situations during the 2024-25 season?

1. Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans

The answer to the Lakers' long-term questions may be the individual who once seemed destined to become their franchise player. Los Angeles selected Brandon Ingram at No. 2 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, but ultimately traded him to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis deal in 2019.

Five years later, Ingram and the Pelicans are in the midst of a contract dispute that could result in the door swinging wide open for a Lakers reunion.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Pelicans are currently unwilling to match Ingram's asking price for a contract extension. If this continues, then it stands to reason that New Orleans will be open to moving Ingram by the trade deadline to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency.

That would be a dream outcome for the Lakers, as they're equipped with the assets to get a trade done for one of the best wings in the NBA.

Ingram, who's still just 27 years of age, has averaged 23.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game since 2019-20. He's been named an All-Star, won the 2020 Most Improved Player award, and set career-best marks of 24.7 points and 5.8 assists per contest in 2022-23.

With a 2024-25 salary of $36,016,200, Ingram could potentially be acquired for a package built around Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell's expiring deal, and draft compensation.

2. Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors will need to be monitored closely throughout the 2024-25 NBA season. All eyes are on the dream pairing of Stephen Curry and LeBron James after the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it's Moses Moody who represents a realistic trade target.

Moody is entering the final season of his current contract and could ultimately be a casualty of the Warriors potentially extending Jonathan Kuminga for a hefty price.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. told Kendra Andrews of ESPN in July that he would like to sign Kuminga and Moody to extensions. Those comments were made roughly a week after fellow 2021 NBA Draft alumnus Franz Wagner signed a five-year, $224 million extension with the Orlando Magic.

Wagner has been more consistently productive than Kuminga, but there's a strong possibility that his contract has set the standard for what the Warriors forward will ask for.

In the event that the Warriors are willing to meet Kuminga's asking price, Moody could become available in trade discussions. Jason Dumas of 95.7 The Game reported in January that Moody is unhappy with his role with Golden State, and playing time remained difficult to come by after the report.

Moody, who averaged 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 three-point field goals made on .462/.360/.785 shooting in just 17.5 minutes per game, could be the 3-and-D wing the Lakers have been searching for.

3. Julius Randle, New York Knicks

Yet another former Lakers player entering what's certain to be a bizarre season. New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle is a two-time All-NBA honoree and three-time All-Star who brought the franchise back to the playoffs before Jalen Brunson arrived in Manhattan.

Despite that fact, Randle has become persona non grata in NBA circles, with many pretending he isn't the caliber of player that he so clearly is—and the Knicks could be the next to do so.

Reports have been limited in terms of concrete information about what Randle and the Knicks intend to do about their future together. He reserves the right to decline a $30,935,520 player option for the 2025-26 season, however, and could thus become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

If the Lakers believe that Randle can fit alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James, then kicking the tires on a trade would be wise ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline.

It's fair to question if Randle actually fits with Davis and James, as he's more of a ball-dominant big than a player who thrives in an off-ball environment. In saying that, James will turn 40 this season and the Lakers need to figure out what a future beyond him looks like.

Randle has his critics, but he's also averaged 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game over the past four seasons while helping his team make consistent playoff apperances.

It's at least worth considering.