Lakers predicted to part ways with Jaden Hardy to sign $63M veteran ex-Nuggets NBA champion

The Los Angeles Lakers have undergone plenty of roster turnover this season, officially ushering in the Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic era. The team made it to the second round of the playoffs before being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers are still looking to add to their roster, even though they are currently one player over the roster limit. As of late, they have been rumored to have a strong chance of landing NBA champion Bruce Brown.

“I think he's in the mix for the Lakers, a team that has had some interest in him for several years now," Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer said.

The challenge for Los Angeles is that multiple playoff-caliber teams are also in the mix for Brown. The veteran is an attractive free-agent option because of his ability to fill multiple roles and contribute in different ways.

“The Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers have recently expressed free agent interest in Bruce Brown. Now one of the best available unrestricted free agents, the versatile guard could help complete a title-contending rotation," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

The Lakers are going to have to move someone if they want to sign Brown to a deal. It is simply a matter of determining which player another team would be willing to take. Heavy.com's Sean Deveney believes Los Angeles would have to move Jaden Hardy.

“If the Lakers want to make a move that would free up room to add another player–Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer mentioned Bruce Brown as a possibility–they would probably need to make deals for both Knecht and Hardy, or offload a contract like that of Bronny James," Deveney wrote.

Hardy was brought to the Lakers this summer in exchange for Deandre Ayton, but it now looks like he could very well be on his way out. Brown getting to Los Angeles would be a significant addition, as his versatility could make him an ideal backup option behind Doncic or Reaves.

Brown has made $63 million throughout his career and brings plenty of valuable experience to the Lakers. Doncic and Reaves have both dealt with injuries at times, so having a veteran capable of stepping into the rotation when needed could be huge for LA.