Does this trade make sense for the Los Angeles Lakers?

When he is healthy, Jahlil Okafor could absolute work his way into the Lakers’ rotation and potentially be a solid bench player that plays sporadic minutes here and there for them, but overall, there are better options with the same salary as Jahlil Okafor that the Lakers could pursue at the trade deadline. 

Hassan Whiteside, Mike Muscala, Moirtz Wagner and even DeMarcus Cousins are all better options that fit the Lakers’ system better than Okafor and are very much available. The first three guys would have to be acquired via a trade, but Cousins is currently a free agent and should be more than willing to sign a minimum deal with the Lakers. 

Any of those four centers are better overall options than Jahlil Okafor, but one positive thing that can be said about Okafor is that he is just 25-years old. With the 76ers during the first two years of his career, Jahlil Okafor was a really solid player on both ends of the court, but no team gave him a shot after he left Philly. 

RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 intriguing players who could be moved at NBA trade deadline

At the cost of a useless 2027 second-round pick and a player like Alfonzo McKinnie, Okafor could absolutely be a potential target for the Lakers, but he is still recovering from knee surgery, which could be a yellow flag for L.A. 

With Davis being out and Gasol struggling now, they need immediate assistance in the frontcourt, which is the main reason why the Lakers should look elsewhere for another frontcourt option.