Lakers zeroing in on Mamukelashvili, Grimes and Kessler as free agency opens
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The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to open free agency on Tuesday, July 1, with their sights set on three targets: Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes and Walker Kessler, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Stein reported that league executives anticipate Los Angeles will reach agreements with unrestricted free agents Mamukelashvili (Toronto Raptors) and Grimes (Philadelphia 76ers) while continuing an aggressive pursuit of Utah Jazz center Kessler, a restricted free agent viewed as the club’s top offseason priority.
Mamukelashvili and Grimes can negotiate deals immediately. Kessler, however, can sign an offer sheet that Utah has the right to match, or he could join the Lakers through a sign-and-trade arrangement. The 24-year-old center was scheduled to meet with multiple teams in Los Angeles on Tuesday, and the Lakers were believed to be on that list.
Los Angeles projects to have roughly $52 million in salary-cap space plus the room mid-level exception. League sources estimate that Mamukelashvili and Grimes will command about $10 million annually each, leaving the Lakers positioned to tender Kessler an offer sheet in the $36–$40 million range. If Utah signals an intention to match, the Lakers could attempt a sign-and-trade package built around Deandre Ayton to create additional flexibility.
Kessler’s youth and rim-protection profile fit the Lakers’ long-term core of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, making him the franchise’s preferred front-court addition. Once Kessler’s situation is clarified, the Lakers are expected to turn their attention to filling out the remainder of the roster with complementary pieces.
Source: LakersNation.com
