Lakers reporter suggests former Warriors guard as free agent target
When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers' roster needs this offseason, most are focused on how much the team needs a starting-caliber center. But the Lakers are also in need of improved guard and wing depth.
Problem is, they have a limited number of trade assets and very little, if any, salary cap flexibility. That means they will need to sign a couple of players to the veteran's minimum salary who will provide good value.
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Jovan Buha, a Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, suggested during a recent episode of "Buha's Block" that guard De'Anthony Melton could be a decent free agent option for the team.
"I really like Melton as a flyer. I think, at this point, he's gonna be a vet-minimum guy… I think he's a guy who, for a vet minimum contract, you could do a lot worse,' said Buha.
Melton was a second-round draft pick in 2018 out of the University of Southern California. He has been known as a strong defender, especially on opposing ball-handling guards, and although he stands a modest 6-foot-3, he has a wingspan of 6-foot-8 and weighs a somewhat stocky 200 pounds.
He has become a reliable 3-point shooter over the last few years, and he possesses ample quickness that especially helps him on the defensive end.
However, Melton tore his ACL early this season back in November. The guard, who was traded by the Golden State Warriors to the Brooklyn Nets in December, may not be able to earn that much money this summer as a result.
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If he's available for the veteran minimum's salary, perhaps the Lakers should at least consider him on a one-year deal. He is a native of the Southland who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, so perhaps he could be enticed to come back home.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers reporter suggests former Warriors guard as free agent target
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Flyers beat writer Kevin Kurz: Finding an NHL-ready center, preferably someone who can play in the top six, is high on general manager Daniel Briere's offseason to-do list, particularly after the Flyers dealt two of them this season in Morgan Frost and Scott Laughton. The Flyers have some assets to dangle, too, with seven picks in the top 50 in the upcoming draft, including three in the first round. I could see them potentially parting with one of those later first-rounders. Or if the Wild are seeking a player who could help immediately, perhaps they'd be willing to go for Minnesota native and right winger Bobby Brink, who took a noticeable step forward this season. My hunch is that Rossi's diminutive size would be a turnoff for the Flyers, who are already on the small side. Still, if no other options are available, Rossi would help fill a sizable hole in their lineup. Sabres beat writer Matt Fairburn: Right now, the top two centers on the Sabres' depth chart are Josh Norris, who has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, and Jiri Kulich, who is 21 and just finished his rookie season. So the Sabres would be wise to explore any upgrade to the top six. Advertisement The question would be whether the price for Marco Rossi makes sense for Buffalo. JJ Peterka feels like too much for the Sabres to give up. Bowen Byram might be an appropriate value. Jack Quinn could be available, but the Sabres would need to give up more than that. Kevyn Adams would probably prefer to dip into the Sabres' deep prospect pool or dangle the No. 9 pick in a trade like this. Hurricanes beat writer Cory Lavalette: The Hurricanes certainly need more scoring down the middle behind Sebastian Aho, and Rossi has the potential to fill that void. There are also some factors playing against Rossi. While he plays bigger than his frame, he would still be another small forward in a lineup that already includes Aho, Seth Jarvis, Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven. Also, Rod Brind'Amour has desperately coveted a right-handed center — Rossi would add to the team's glut of lefties at the dot. All that said, if GM Eric Tulsky sees Rossi as a fit, Carolina has a wealth of assets. Rossi should be a slightly depreciated asset after playing just over 11 minutes a night for the Wild in the playoffs. An offer sheet isn't an option unless the Hurricanes get back their 2026 third-round pick, but it does give a baseline for the market for Rossi — something around a first and a third. Given the extra first-round picks Carolina has, Tulsky could offer a likely late first (one of Dallas' future picks or the Hurricanes' own this year) and go from there. Even if the trade makes sense, I still wonder about Rossi's fit. Former Flames beat writer Julian McKenzie: The Flames finished 29th in goals for and 30th in goals at five-on-five. So, yeah, they could use some scoring anywhere they can get it. This is already on top of their need for talent, particularly from young players between the ages of 18 and 23. Rossi checks off those boxes. Calgary would also love his versatility at center and wing. Advertisement Calgary has prospects and draft picks they can offer in return. If the Wild covet a roster player more, then a pick or prospect can work as a sweetener. I'd be fascinated to know who on the Flames the Wild would covet. Yegor Sharangovich seems like an obvious trade candidate to me. But he's coming off a down year and he might not fit the bill. Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson would be fascinating trade pieces to ponder. But Kadri has a no-move, while the Flames still have to decide on Andersson's future. Smith: The Mammoth already have an exciting young core, and GM Bill Armstrong is primed to make a splash this summer. There are rumblings Utah is dangling the No. 4 pick in this month's draft for top-six help, and while there's no indication that means Rossi, we know how much Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny loves the Wild center. Tourigny, who coached Rossi in junior with the Ottawa 67's, is a 'huge believer' and the 'biggest fan' of Rossi, comparing his 'first quality' IQ to the likes of Ryan O'Reilly. 'Trust me. He's an unbelievable pro,' Tourigny said. 'Takes care of his body. Takes care of every detail. He's super driven, super competitive. He's really shifty. He has an unbelievable IQ — great hockey sense. It's a matter for him to keep getting more mature in all of it. But Marco Rossi's a hell of player. On and off the ice, he's as low-maintenance as you can find. He's the most prepared guy you can find. He was a blast to coach.' Jets beat writer Murat Ates: The Jets probably aren't in the market for a smaller center, despite Rossi's great talent, but there's a strong argument that they should be. Winnipeg has traded first-round picks for second-line centers who then walked as unrestricted free agents in 2018, 2019 and 2023 — and would have done so again in 2025 had their Brock Nelson trade worked out with the Islanders. This is a hole the Jets will throw assets at until it's patched. There's also win-now pressure building in Winnipeg, given the number of star players aged 30 or above. Rossi needs a new contract now but isn't UFA eligible until 2029, making him someone well worth paying a first-round pick for — and a prospect like Brad Lambert or Colby Barlow, as necessary — to spare the Jets their annual 2C angst at the trade deadline. Other teams potentially interested in a young, scoring center: Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins (tons of draft capital, may need to prep for life after Evgeni Malkin if this is his final season in the NHL), Detroit Red Wings (they're already a little small up front, though), New York Islanders, Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche.
