Lakers rumors: LA interested in Luka Doncic's ex-Mavericks teammate
The post Lakers rumors: LA interested in Luka Doncic's ex-Mavericks teammate appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The Los Angeles Lakers are hot in the rumor mill, as the front office aims to improve the roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic. There is plenty of speculation that L.A. plans to find an upgrade at center, but the roster still needs help in other key areas as well.
Advertisement
For that reason, it sounds like the franchise could be eying another one of Doncic's former teammates on the Dallas Mavericks.
Rumors suggest that the Lakers are eying guard Dante Exum, according to insider Anthony F. Irwin. During the latest episode of the 'Lakers Lounge Podcast,' Irwin claims Los Angeles is going to make a push for Exum this offseason.
'Rob Pelinka was previously [Dante Exum's] agent. So you have that built-in relationship… He is a very solid perimeter defender. I like that he's a little bigger, a little longer, which is something the Lakers [need]… He is somebody the Lakers are going to be interested in.'
The 29-year-old guard is an unrestricted free agent after playing two full seasons with the Mavericks. Irwin hints that if the Lakers can sign Exum to the minimum, then the team's interest in him only increases, especially considering what he brings to the table athletically and defensively as well as his chemistry with Luka Doncic.
Advertisement
Dante Exum will be coming off an injury as he suffered a fractured left hand in the Mavericks' 133-96 loss to the Houston Rockets in mid-March. Injuries are a concern for Exum as he's had a difficult time remaining healthy. He only played 20 games for Dallas last season, which is something the Lakers must consider.
However, in those 20 games played, Dante Exum served as a solid contributor. He started in 13 contests and averaged 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 47.8% from the field and 43.4% from beyond the three-point line.
Related: Sources: The major change Lakers won't be making this offseason
Related: Lakers' LeBron James hilariously recalls 'most egregious' travel of his career
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Jason Kidd wants Cooper Flagg at point guard: 'Want to make him uncomfortable'
The Cooper Flagg era in Dallas is officially underway, as the No. 1 overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft was introduced on Friday, June 27. In that introductory news conference, Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd didn't hold back his intentions for Flagg, including throwing him into a position in the NBA summer league that he doesn't have a ton of experience at: point guard. "I don't look at the position. I want to put him at point guard. I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts (to) being able to run the show," Kidd said. Kidd went on to say that Flagg will also play the 2 and the 3 with the Mavericks, two positions that he played at Duke and is "comfortable in." "We want to push," Kidd said. "And I think he's going to respond in a positive way. It's all right to fail. It's all right to turn the ball over. We've talked about that. "Just understanding the guys that I've been around that have been young from Giannis (Antetokounmpo) giving him the ball and he failed, but he wanted to come back and have the ball. I'm excited to give him the ball against the Lakers (in the summer league) and see what happens." Though Flagg was never listed at point guard for Duke or played it, the Naismith Player of the Year did bring up the ball at times for the Blue Devils – on top of showcasing other skillsets a point guard has while never playing the position. In 37 games last season, Flagg led all Duke players with 4.2 assists per game. Being selected No. 1 overall by the Mavericks, Flagg will receive a four-year NBA rookie contract with a total estimated value of $62.7 million, according to Spotrac. Noted by the Fayetteville Observer, part of the USA TODAY Network, Flagg's four-year contract is only guaranteed for the first two years under the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement as Years 3 and 4 of the contract are team options. Flagg is set to begin his NBA career with Dallas in the NBA 2K26 Summer League on Thursday, July 10 at 8 p.m. ET against the Los Angeles Lakers and Bronny James. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Report: Chris Paul is 'determined to play' near Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Lakers need more than help at the center spot this summer in order to become legitimate championship contenders next season. They need some help at the wing and guard spots and better bench depth in order to become an elite team. They recognize that they need more speed and athleticism, which is one reason why they traded for the draft rights to 6-foot-8 forward Adou Thiero on Thursday. But it is possible they end up signing a player who recently turned 40 years of age. Chris Paul, the future Hall of Fame point guard who has been named to 12 All-Star teams, reportedly wants to play close to his home in Los Angeles as his career winds down, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. 'Chris Paul would be another [Dallas] Mavericks target at $5.7 million,' Stein wrote, 'but there is a growing belief that Paul… is determined to play closer to his home base in Los Angeles if he indeed comes back for a 21st season.' Paul averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists in 28.0 minutes a game this season with the San Antonio Spurs. He certainly isn't anywhere close to the player he was as recently as four years ago, but he's still a very capable playmaker and floor general, and he remains a dependable 3-point shooter. He is one of LeBron James' closest friends, and one always has to wonder if James' influence in L.A. could result in Paul becoming a Laker. But there are certainly risks with bringing in and relying on a player who has 20 years of wear and tear. His risk of injury is a lot higher, and his production could fall off a cliff at a moment's notice. Paul, of course, was once set to play for the Lakers in December 2011 when they agreed to a blockbuster trade with the then-New Orleans Hornets. But the NBA, which had assumed ownership of the Hornets, vetoed the trade, and he made his way to the Los Angeles Clippers instead. He recently said during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he wants to be closer to his children, who live in the Southland.
NBC Sports
2 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Fever start fast without Caitlin Clark, hang on for 94-86 win over Wings and Paige Bueckers
DALLAS — Kelsey Mitchell scored 32 points, and the Indiana Fever held on without the injured Caitlin Clark, taking a 22-point lead in the first quarter before finishing off a 94-86 victory over the Dallas Wings on Friday night. Clark's left groin injury spoiled what was supposed to be the first meeting of the past two No. 1 picks in the WNBA draft. The game was the first at the home of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks for the Wings, who took Paige Bueckers first overall this year. The Wings, who are planning a move to downtown Dallas in the next couple of years, have played about 20 miles away on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington since moving to the area nine years ago. Bueckers sparked a rally by beating the first-half buzzer with a long 3-pointer after a steal and finished with 27 points despite a cold start from the field. The Wings took a lead in the fourth quarter after trailing by 23 in the first half, but couldn't overcome 26% shooting in the first 10 minutes. Arike Ogunbowale scored 15 for Dallas. Aliyah Boston scored 21 points and Natasha Howard had 15 points and 13 rebounds and three steals for the Fever, who made all 11 of their shots from inside the 3-point arc in the first quarter and shot 59% for the game. The absence of Clark, who missed a second consecutive game after sitting out five earlier this season with a quadriceps injury, didn't keep the crowd or the pro sports stars away. The 20,000-seat American Airlines Center was nearly full, and among the fans were nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving of the Mavericks, star pass rusher Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and Cooper Flagg. The 18-year-old Flagg was drafted No. 1 overall out of Duke by the Mavericks on Wednesday, a little more than two months after the Wings selected Bueckers. Flagg, who got a loud ovation when he was shown on the video board in the third quarter, was introduced to the Dallas media earlier Friday. Cade Cunningham, a Dallas-area resident and the No. 1 overall choice by the Detroit Pistons four years ago, sat near Parsons. Even with all the star power, there were plenty of Clark — and Fever — backers in the crowd, delighted by the quick start with the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year on the bench in street clothes. The Wings took their only lead at 80-79 on JJ Quinerly's three-point play midway through the fourth quarter. Aari McDonald started a clinching 9-0 run for the Fever with a bucket that broke an 82-82 tie.
