Since Los Angeles signed Valerio-Bodon last year, the 23-year-old is no stranger to the Lakers. He was allowed to play in the G League after being released just before the 2023–24 NBA season began. The fans’ reaction to Valerio-Bodon’s reunion with the Lakers isn’t particularly funny, but they did bring jokes.
“League is trembling,” @lakerfansmiley posted. The person that won the chip was @BronGotGame. @alanbarcoff jokingly said, “To do what, hand out towels to Lebron?” @echoteric said, “We don’t do so well with guys with hyphens in their names (JHS, THT, etc).”
“We signed whooooooo?” @meowapy enquired. “We’re crushing the nuggets right now,” @weepjng exclaimed.
Valerio-Bodon is unlikely to be included on the Lakers’ final roster for the 2024–2025 season. However, Valerio-Bodon has the option to remain with the Lakers organization by signing an Exhibit 10 contract and playing for the South Bay Lakers in the G League if he is released before to the start of the season. In that case, Valerio-Bodon would be eligible for a bonus of $77,500 if he stays with South Bay for a minimum of sixty days.
During the previous season, Valerio-Bodon averaged 5.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and made 39.1% of his 3-pointers with South Bay.
Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Jerami Grant of the Blazers to the Lakers.
The goal of the Portland Trail Blazers entering the upcoming season is to improve upon their 21-61 record. They had hoped to trade some of their more experienced players throughout the summer, but they have only been successful in moving guard Malcolm Brogdon thus far.
Portland still has a few players, such as seasoned forward Jerami Grant, who could bring them some assets down the road. Throughout the offseason, Grant has been the target of numerous trade speculations, most involving the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Before making another championship run, Los Angeles has been trying to figure out how to bolster its roster with players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers might use Grant to help fill a need, but the two parties haven’t been able to reach a consensus.
The Lakers’ unwillingness to part with more than one first-round draft pick is primarily to blame for this. Portland has been unwilling to budge from their firm position of requiring two first-round picks in any deal.
But if communication between the two parties can continue, an agreement might be reached. In a recent proposal from Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, Portland receives a substantial payout in exchange for Grant being moved to Los Angeles.
Portland would get guard Gabe Vincent, rookie guard Dalton Knecht, forward Rui Hachimura, and a 2029 first-round draft pick in exchange. Given his enormous contract, this is probably the best Portland will receive for Grant.
With four years remaining on his contract, he is expected to earn $29.7 million this season. His income rises year, and in his last year as a 33-year-old, he will be paid $36.4 million.
Hachimura might help the Trail Blazers if they can get a young forward to take Grant’s role. Compared to Grant, Hachimura is younger and has a more team-friendly contract.
Vincent’s arrival might provide Portland with a valuable experienced presence in the backcourt, and the team has the option to sell him in the offseason or at the trade deadline. When this season ends, his contract will expire.
Up Next: Lakers Coach JJ Redick, Was Suspended.
The key component of this transaction is Knecht, whom Los Angeles selected with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Age worries caused him to fall from the lottery, despite projections to the contrary. Knecht, though, might be a useful addition to the Trail Blazers’ future roster.
If Portland were to move Grant, this could be a good haul overall. The two parties still have time to reach a consensus, and the general structure of a transaction might resemble this.
