Are the Lakers really going to bring in a third star? The U.S. media analyzed multiple plans: Russell + Hachimura became the main bargaining chip

This article was compiled from: Bleacher Report

By Eric Pincus

原标题：Is It Already Time for Lakers to Panic-Chase a Third Star?

With 3 wins and 0 losses at home and 5 losses on the road, the Lakers' 2023-24 season hasn't started as expected. Compared to the Lakers who beat the Grizzlies and Warriors in the playoffs, the current team is more like the Lakers who went 2-10 in the first 12 games of last season. Is it time for the Lakers to panic? Is it time for them to look for a third star? Or does the team need a different set of role players? When the trade season kicks off in mid-December, who might the Lakers attract? The well-known American media Bleacher Report gave a relevant analysis.

1. Limitations: Who can the Lakers trade and who can't they trade?

At least for now, there's not much the Lakers can do.

Almost all of the Lakers' players are currently subject to trade restrictions. The only players eligible for a trade right now are James, Hood Schifino, Christie, Lewis and three two-way players (Castleton, Furci, Hodge). Other players will either sign new contracts in the offseason and cannot be traded for the time being, while Vanderbilt, who has been renewing his contract for many years, simply cannot be traded this season.

While the trade restrictions will be lifted on Feb. 7, don't expect the Lakers to put James or Bushy on the trade market. Hachimura and Reaves cannot be traded until January 16 of next year, and the rest of the players (Russell, Vincent, Prince, Wood, Reddish and Hayes) cannot be traded until December 16.

The Lakers' current total salary is $167.4 million, and no matter who they're targeting, the total post-trade salary increase cannot exceed $4.9 million at most. The Lakers have one first-round pick available in 2029 or 2030, and four second-round picks at their disposal.

All in all, the Lakers will have to wait at least another five weeks before making a substantial trade. They can't significantly increase their salaries, and they don't have a lot of draft picks to offer.

2. Owen and James reunited?

The Lakers and Irving have been rumored for a long time, dating back to Irving's time with the Nets. He eventually switched to the Mavericks through a trade and completed a contract extension for 3 years and 120 million this offseason. James' relationship with Irving broke down at one point, but now the two are on a much better relationship. The challenge is Irving's starting salary of $39 million.

The Lakers could put Russell and Hachimura in if they want to match the salary, but that would put the Lakers' 13 players above the hard salary cap by $350,000, which is not enough to meet the league's minimum of 14 players.

Potential trade scenario: The Lakers send Russell, Hachimura and Hood Schifino to the Mavericks and Irving and Markieff Morris, and the Lakers can wait until near the end of December to sign the 14th player with base salary. Irving would need to forfeit the trade bonus, and the Mavericks would need to open a roster spot for the deal to get the deal done.

3. DeRozan returns home in Los Angeles

In the summer of 2021, before the Lakers traded for Wei Shao, they had been pursuing DeRozan. Los Angeles sacrificed roster depth for star effect, and it took nearly two seasons to make up for that mistake. DeRozan later joined the Bulls, and his contract entered its final year and was worth $28.6 million. Will the Bulls re-sign the 34-year-old or send him to the Lakers?

DeRozan could add a finisher to the Lakers, but he's not known for his outside shots. The Bulls didn't renew Pavey, and their need for a forward line, Hachimura can make up for it. The Lakers' backcourt defense misses Caruso, and they can welcome back an old player in this trade.

Potential trade scenario: Lakers send Russell, Hachimura and Hood Schifino to the Bulls for DeRozan, Caruso and Drummond.

4. Is Ravan also an alternative option?

If the Bulls are more aggressive and want to rebuild completely, they can also send LaVine, who is almost 29 years old. LaVine has been having problems with his knee and is expected to earn a whopping $178.1 million over the next four years. LaVine is not shooting 32 percent from three-point range this season, but is averaging 20.5 points per game and 38.3 percent from three-point range. He doesn't help the Lakers' defense, but LaVine can take the scoring burden off James Mei.

LaVine's annual salary for the 2023-24 season is $40 million, and the Lakers will need to spend more than DeRozan in exchange for him.

Potential trade package: The Lakers sent Russell, Hachimura, Prince, Hood Schifino and a lightly protected 2029 first-round pick for LaVine, Craig and Terry Taylor. LaVine gave up the trade bonus to join the Lakers, and the Lakers could wait until near the end of December to sign the 14th player. Note: Drummond can replace Craig.

5. Is it feasible to trade Trae Young?

The Hawks got off to a decent start as they went 5-3 and finished fourth in the East. If the Hawks' record slips, they could drop Trae Young, who recently signed Dejounte Murray, who plays the same position. Young is a polarizing player with a lot of offensive firepower, but is cumbersome on the defensive end and not particularly efficient without the ball in hand. He may match Zhan Mei, or he may make a mess.

It is worth mentioning that Yang's agent is Rich Paul, the same as Zhan Mei. The Lakers have a history of bringing in Rich Paul clients, and Young has been rumored with the Lakers on multiple occasions.

Can the Lakers get Young with a first-rounder? If the Hawks are willing to trade him, it depends on how the market views his four-year, $178.1 million contract.

Potential trade package: Lakers send Russell, Hachimura, Prince, Hood Schifino and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick for Young, Fernando, Matthews. Young gave up the trade bonus to join the Lakers, and the Lakers could wait until near the end of December to sign the 14th player with a base salary.

6. Other options for operation

If the Lakers don't trade for a third star, there's another option to swap role players and make smaller adjustments. Their chips will be one of Russell and Hachimura. Targets can be players the Lakers have previously pursued, such as Hield for the Pacers and Bojan Bogdanovic for the Pistons, or other guards who can make a difference, such as Tyus Jones for the Wizards, Brogdon for the Trail Blazers, and Caruso for the Bulls.

Historically, even if the Lakers unlock the trade limit in mid-December or mid-January, many teams will usually hesitate until the February 9 trade deadline, when the Lakers may not make a real trade move. Now, the Lakers can only try to stay healthy first, and there is no other answer in the short term.