JUST IN:”Moment Los Angeles Lakers Player Desire to Establish a Lasting Legacy with the Club…Read more
Lakers' 2-Way Swingman Seeks LA Stay: $4.5m Starter Eyeing Long-Term Future with Lakers
“Lakers’ $4.5m Swingman Dreams of LA Legacy: 2-Way Wing Opts for Loyalty Over Cash”
The Los Angeles Lakers have attracted star players since the 1980s, but having quality role players is nearly as crucial for success, and they too appreciate the Southern California lifestyle.
A recent example is Taurean Prince, a versatile wing who joined the Lakers last season and was a regular starter. Speaking to Matthew Valento of Lakers Nation on May 28, Prince expressed his strong desire to stay with the team, saying, “100%.”
“The quality of life in Los Angeles is something my family and I haven’t experienced in about three or four seasons,” Prince said. “So staying here is definitely my top priority. If not, then I’ll go wherever is best, but I absolutely want to be a Laker, 100%.”
“Taurean Prince Proved to Be a Valuable Acquisition for the Lakers”
“Prince was integral to the Lakers’ strategy of surrounding stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis with versatile three-and-D players capable of defending multiple positions and providing offensive spacing with their three-point shooting.
However, the season concluded similarly to the previous year, with a quick playoff exit to the Denver Nuggets. Nonetheless, Prince was a valuable addition given his contributions to the team.
Prince appeared in 78 of 82 regular season games, starting 49. He averaged 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 39.6% from three-point range, according to Basketball Reference.
Last season, he played in Los Angeles on a one-year deal worth $4.5 million. A former first-round pick from Baylor in 2016 (12th overall) by the Atlanta Hawks, Prince will be 30 next year.”
“Lakers Expected to Pursue Additional Star Talent This Summer”
“Given Prince’s cost-effectiveness and value, he might return to the Lakers for the 2024-25 season. However, L.A. seems poised to make a significant addition to their roster this summer, regardless of Prince’s status.
The Lakers possess multiple future first-round picks they can trade for a third star to join James and Davis. They also have D’Angelo Russell’s contract, worth $18.7 million next season if he exercises his player option, to facilitate a trade. If Russell opts out, his salary will be removed from the cap, giving the Lakers more financial flexibility in free agency.”
A few players could potentially fit well in Los Angeles, whether through a trade or free agency. By the end of May, the most frequently mentioned names include Trae Young and Dejounte Murray from the Hawks, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls.
NBA insiders anticipate that Atlanta will likely try to trade one of its starting guards this summer, and Cleveland is expected to do the same.
Max Dible, who writes for Heavy.com, covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB, with a particular focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns. Before joining Heavy, he reported on local and statewide news for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s Big Island radio stations.
GET RELATED CONTENT ON:
