The Los Angeles Lakers spent the first two months of free agency biding their time. Outside of re-signing Max Christie and LeBron James, Los Angeles remained dormant, patiently waiting for the right move to present itself—if any would at all.
Recent decisions haven't necessarily proven that the Lakers are ready to go all-in on a new-look roster, but they seem to imply that the time for change is nearing.
Los Angeles has been involved in a surplus of trade rumors this summer, with no shortage of potential targets. In recent days, the organization has begun to reveal what its priorities are in finding the right addition to the team—even if the moves have focused on players outside of the rotation.
On September 3, Senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes reported that the Lakers have added Jordan Goodwin to their training camp roster.
Sources: Free agent guard Jordan Goodwin has agree to a camp deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. pic.twitter.com/MWyWPrCVO0
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 3, 2024
Roughly 24 hours later, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported that the Lakers have signed floor-spacing wing Vincent Valerio-Bodon to an Exhibit 10 contract.
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing Vincent Valerio-Bodon to an Exhibit-10 deal, league sources told @hoopshype. He spent last season with the South Bay Lakers in the G League.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 4, 2024
It's unclear if either player will make the main roster, but both moves suggest the Lakers' efforts to improve are finally taking shape.
Lakers seem to be gearing up for the trade that changes their identity
It was inevitable that the Lakers would start making decisions with training camp nearing, but the nature of the decisions has been enticing. Los Angeles has seemingly prioritized perimeter defense, shooting, and depth at center with its recent moves.
That may not result in immediate value in the rotation, but it could be indicative of what JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka are hoping to acquire via a potential trade.
Redick has openly acknowledged his hope that the Lakers will add a big, bruising center to the 2024-25 roster. Los Angeles has also been shopping point guard D'Angelo Russell in trade discussions since he accepted his player option in late June.
This certainly implies that the franchise will be making a significant change to its rotation ahead of or even during the 2024-25 season.
Los Angeles is wise to focus on the areas it appears to favor. Redick's prioritization of the center position, for instance, speaks to the well-documented request that Davis made in 2023 for the Lakers to add depth at center.
The goal appears to be for Davis to play a less physically demanding style at power forward during the regular season and provide help against bigs such as Nikola Jokic come the playoffs.
Goodwin and Valerio-Bodon, meanwhile, are perimeter players with the potential to help in two crucial areas: Defense and shooting. Goodwin has flashed the potential to be a high-level defender, while Valerio-Bodon was a near 40 percent three-point shooter in the G League.
Even if neither player cracks the NBA rotation, it's clear that the Lakers are looking to improve from being one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the Association on both ends of the floor.