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Whenever a player who could've helped the Los Angeles Lakers ends up with another team, some fans simply assume that the Lakers didn't go after him. But the team has been aggressive this summer in remodeling its roster after LeBron James left, and that aggression extends to players it struck out on.
On Sunday, Luguentz Dort, who was a key starter for the Oklahoma City Thunder over the last several years, was sent to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade. Before that trade went down, the Lakers were reportedly one team that had interest in him, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
"Several teams expressed trade interest in acquiring Dort before he was traded to Atlanta, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Heat, league sources told HoopsHype."
Los Angeles has lacked defensive-minded wings, especially those who can also hit open 3-pointers, for a number of years. While Dort shot just 38.5% from the field and 34.4% from 3-point range last season, he could've served as a nice piece for L.A.
About a month ago, NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote that the team had called the Thunder about Dort. Instead, it eventually added two-way wing Quentin Grimes and forwards Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle in free agency. It is also hoping that 6-foot-5 rookie guard Cameron Carr will make it into its rotation and display some legitimate two-way ability.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Report: Lakers had interest in Luguentz Dort before his trade to Hawks
