Before the offseason comes, whether it is the new coach Redick, or the two leading stars James and Davis, they all hope that the team can be strengthened through trades. But as of now, the Lakers' roster has not changed much from last season.
To this end, Eddie Bittar, a reporter for United States media outlet Fadeaway World, listed 3 potential trade options for the Lakers, as follows:
The first - a four-for-two trade for Jazz center Kessler and guard Sexton
Los Angeles Lakers get: Walker · Kessler, Colin · Sexton;
Utah Jazz get: Austin Reaves, Jared Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schiffino, 2026 first-round pick swap;
In fact, judging from the outcome of the Lakers falling in the first round last season, Reaves Jr. and Russell, the two guards, played the starters together, and the improvement of the Lakers' offensive and defensive combat power was not very good, so it was necessary to replace one of them.
In this deal, with three players and a first-round swap right as a bargaining chip, the Lakers can get center Kessler and guard Sexton, and the Lakers' offensive and defensive capabilities can be completely improved. Kessler can play as a starting center when he advances, and he can play as a substitute center when he retires; Sexton can play the role of the team's sixth man, so the Lakers' starting lineup will become even stronger.
The second - a four-for-one trade to get LaVine, the star of the Bulls
Los Angeles Lakers get: Zach · LaVine;
Chicago Bulls: Austin· Reaves, Hachimura, Gabe· Vincent, Jalen Hood· Skifino;
Again, this second trade is to trade Reaves Jr., but this time with four players as leverage to make an offer to the Bulls' LaVine. According to previous reports, Bulls management is willing to take a first-round pick in order to send LaVine away; If the Lakers offered him with such chips, why wouldn't the Bulls do it? Because you don't have to send away draft picks to be able to dispose of LaVine's contract.
At the same time, the Lakers will have a third-place consistent scoring point, and it is believed that LaVine will play a more efficient offensive performance next to James and Davis.
The third - a 3-for-1 trade to get Kuzma, the star of the Wizards
Los Angeles Lakers get: Kyle · Kuzma;
Washington Wizards get: Austin · Reaves, Jared · Vanderbilt, 2030 second-round pick;
In order to be able to bring in a third consistent scoring point, the Lakers used two players and a second-round draft pick as chips to make an offer to Wizards forward Kuzma. Kuzma used to play for the Lakers and is a Lakers veteran, and if he can return to the origin of his dream again, with his current strength and style of play, he is very suitable to play next to James.
Of course, it's time for the Wizards, who have a poor record, to enter a rebuilding period, and they can follow the example of the Jazz in letting guard Poole play good statistics with a lot of possession, and then send him away for more high-quality chips; With the two players and a second-round pick in the deal, the Wizards can take a major step forward in their rebuild.
Compared with these three trades, the four-for-two of the first trade is obviously a better solution, because it can strengthen the Lakers' center position, and also get a player with the same strength as Reaves Jr. on the outside, which is not a loss at all.