Rumored Lakers trade target just became significantly easier to acquire

The Los Angeles Lakers have spent the duration of the 2024 offseason being linked to players who ultimately signed with other teams. It's been a difficult period in franchise history, as areas that offer reason for intrigue have been overshadowed by routinely striking out in the pursuit of big names.

Thankfully for the Lakers, one of the players who has been linked to the organization in trade rumors just became more accessible.

Los Angeles was linked to then Washington Wizards guard Landry Shamet in trade rumors in the days leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft. It was a clear reflection of the type of team that head coach JJ Redick is hoping to build with general manager Rob Pelinka.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Shamet just became significantly more accessible after clearing waivers and becoming an unrestricted free agent.

After previously expressing interest in Shamet as a potential trade target, the Lakers will now have an opportunity to sign him outright.

Lakers trade target Landry Shamet is now an unrestricted free agent

Shamet, 27, is widely regarded as one of the most proficient three-point shooters in the NBA. He boasts a career mark of 38.4 percent on more than 1,700 career attempts from beyond the arc, and knocks his free throws down at a clip of 84.0 percent.

Shamet also has 53 games of postseason experience from his tenures with the LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns.

Shamet shot a career-worst 33.8 percent from beyond the arc in 2023-24, but there's reason to believe it was an outlier of a season. He'd never previously shot worse than 36.8 percent from distance, and continues to be one of the best catch-and-shoot marksmen in the Association.

This past season, Shamet knocked down 37.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot three-point field goals—and converted 40.4 percent of his attempts in 2022-23.

In Los Angeles, Shamet would have a chance to see the floor early and often. Redick is hoping to improve the team's three-point shooting, which begins with empowering players to shoot with more confidence than they did a season ago.

The Lakers ranked No. 8 in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage in 2023-24, yet finished No. 28 in attempts and No. 24 in conversions.

Shamet is no stranger to shooting with a green light, with a jump shot that coaches have long encouraged him to utilize. He struggles off the bounce, but the Lakers would provide necessary spacing for Anthony Davis and LeBron James with a true catch-and-shoot specialist.

There will be several teams interested in signing Shamet, per Scotto, but the Lakers would be wise to kick the tires once more now that the cost is purely financial.