Predicting The Next Lakers Moves Until The February Trade Deadline
These are some trades that could happen ahead of the trade deadline.
Credit: Fadeaway World
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that is clearly going to prioritize making some sort of move at the trade deadline this year. They have already traded for Rui Hachimura, who will help them improve on both ends of the floor, signaling a desire to improve the team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers have the ability to make a variety of moves, as their future first-round picks carry a lot of value on the trade market.
In terms of options, the Lakers could swing big in a move that features Russell Westbrook's contract and draft compensation or make a smaller move by combining the contracts of players like Patrick Beverley and Lonnie Walker IV. Rob Pelinka has already stated that the Lakers will make a move if it makes them a championship contender, and perhaps that move will present itself ahead of the trade deadline.
There are also some benefits to the Los Angeles Lakers not making a move this year. They can free up a lot of cap space at the end of the season and sign a big-name free agent like Kyrie Irving, who has frequently been linked with the team.
This article features some predictions about what sort of trades the Los Angeles Lakers would make ahead of the trade deadline this year. Each prediction features a percentage chance of the move happening. Here are 5 potential moves for the Los Angeles Lakers to make ahead of the trade deadline.
5. Lakers Land Two Miami Guards
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson
Miami Heat Receive: Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Prediction: 10% Chance Of Happening
This is a trade scenario that has frequently been touted as an option for the Los Angeles Lakers. It has already been reported that the Lakers have an interest in Kyle Lowry, and Duncan Robinson could potentially be a fit on the team as a shooter. Though this would definitely make the Lakers a better team, there's a high likelihood that the Lakers will not make this trade with the Heat.
Though Kyle Lowry is still a solid floor general and playmaker, he is currently 36 years old, which is on the older side for an NBA player. There is definitely a risk that he ends up declining even further next season. Duncan Robinson is also a huge gamble, as he has been having a poor season with the Miami Heat, and his playing time has already decreased as a result. Robinson is also a poor defender, which makes him an unlikely fit within Darvin Ham's system in the first place. From a financial standpoint, this is also a poor move for the Lakers, as Robinson has a long-term contract.
It is clear that both players have question marks attached to them, which makes the Los Angeles Lakers unlikely to risk moving picks for them. There is also an argument that Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson wouldn't be better for the team than Russell Westbrook, who is a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate. The Lakers will have better options on the trade market, and thus this trade only has a small possibility of happening.
4. Lakers Land Zach LaVine In A Blockbuster Trade
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine, Coby White
Chicago Bulls Receive: Russell Westbrook, Lonnie Walker IV, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Prediction: 30% Chance Of Happening
There is no doubt that Zach LaVine's name has been in a lot of trade rumors all season, and the Los Angeles Lakers were frequently mentioned in connection to him. There were even some reports that suggested the interest was mutual and that Zach LaVine wanted to play in Los Angeles. As of right now, Zach LaVine is putting up 23.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 4.2 APG for the Chicago Bulls.
Zach LaVine is the caliber of player that the Lakers could potentially gamble their first-round picks on, especially since he is on a long-term deal. He is also a great basketball fit with the team, as he would give them a dynamic perimeter scorer that can take some of the offensive load from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This is seemingly a perfect move for the team.
Despite the rumors and speculation, this is still a relatively unlikely trade for the Los Angeles Lakers. The team will have over $100 million in salary with Zach LaVine, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, which makes it hard to sign big-time free agents. If the Lakers go the star route, it makes more sense to try and get Kyrie Irving in free agency, then move the first-round picks in the future to improve the team even further. To make the LaVine trade, the Los Angeles Lakers would have to be sure that he makes them a championship contender.
3. Bojan Bogdanovic Heads To Lakers For A First-Round Pick
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Bojan Bogdanovic
Detroit Pistons Receive: Patrick Beverley, Lonnie Walker IV, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Prediction: 40% Chance Of Happening
Bojan Bogdanovic is one of the hottest names on the trade market, and every contender seemingly wants to acquire him. His skill set fits with almost every star in the league on offense, as he is an elite 3PT shooter that can also provide supplementary shot creation. He has been having a career year with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 21.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 2.7 APG while shooting 42.3% from the 3PT range.
Even though Bogdanovic is a fantastic player that would give the team a great chance to win immediately, there are definitely some risks that come with trading for him. He is 33 years old and has two more years on his contract on top of this one. Moving his contract could become an issue for the franchise if he ends up declining next season, and there are clear long-term risks with this acquisition.
Giving up an unprotected first-round pick for an older player like Bojan Bogdanovic is something that the Lakers are simply unlikely to do, even if he is one of the best 3PT shooters in the association. If they can add protections to that first-round pick there might be a chance of a deal happening, but if they are giving up unprotected picks, there are deals that can be made which give them a higher chance of winning a championship.
2. Gary Trent Jr. Could Be A Nice Pickup For The Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Gary Trent Jr.
Toronto Raptors Receive: Patrick Beverley, Lonnie Walker IV, 2023 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Prediction: 50% Chance Of Happening
Gary Trent Jr. is a 3 and D player that has been on the trade market this season due to his contract situation with the Toronto Raptors. Since he has a player option for next season, he is effectively a free agent at this moment since Trent Jr. will likely decline the option to try and get a long-term deal with an NBA franchise. He has been having a productive season with the Toronto Raptors, putting up 18.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 1.8 SPG.
From a basketball perspective, the Los Angeles Lakers could really use a player like Gary Trent Jr, who can defend guards well and space the floor. Due to his contract situation, he would likely cost less for them to get as well. The Lakers only had to give up second-round picks for Rui Hachimura, who will be a restricted free agent. Even though Gary Trent Jr. is obviously a better player, he would likely go for a similar price as well due to him being a flight risk in free agency.
With that being said, the Lakers could end up being a long-term fit for Gary Trent Jr., as they prioritized youth in their acquisitions in free agency last season and when trading for Hachimura as well. If he signs a long-term deal with the franchise, this trade could end up being a steal for the Lakers, and Gary Trent Jr. is a player that isn't in his prime and will likely perform even better in the future.
It will be interesting to see if the Los Angeles Lakers will manage to land Gary Trent Jr. in the future. They could end up competing with other teams who could potentially field better offers, but this is still a move to look out for.
1. Lakers Go All In
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Myles Turner, Buddy Hield
Indiana Pacers Receive: Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Prediction: 80% Chance Of Happening
This trade with the Indiana Pacers is likely the only trade that makes the Los Angeles Lakers a true championship contender this season. Moving for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield would improve the team's talent level and give them two elite complementary players next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Buddy Hield is an elite high-volume 3PT shooter, and his off-ball game would likely open up things for the Lakers' offense. He could be a solid complementary scorer for the team as well and has shown that he can hit a variety of 3PT shots, excelling both with off-the-dribble 3PT shots and isolations from that area. With that being said, his defense and ability to do anything inside is still a concern, but the offense he provides would likely be worth it for the team.
Myles Turner is a unique center because he is an elite rim protector who is also fantastic when shooting from the 3PT range. As of right now, Myles Turner is having a fantastic season and averaging 17.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 2.4 BPG while shooting a blistering 39.1% from beyond the arc. On the Lakers, he would create a dynamic frontcourt with Anthony Davis on both ends of the floor and can be tasked with guarding centers, which lessens the wear and tear on Davis.
Though this trade would not get the Lakers a star, this is a trade that could immediately make them contenders. They would have a solid starting lineup and bench unit in this scenario, and this is a trade where it makes sense for the Lakers to give up their picks.
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