The Los Angeles Lakers are focused on their series with the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Despite that, there are still rumors floating around about their future plans.
It is no secret that the Lakers want to go star hunting if the opportunity presents itself. They have been linked in the past to Kyrie Irving, but things have seemed to cool in that department. Los Angeles could instead pivot and retain a lot of the pieces that they acquired ahead of the deadline this season.
However, a new name has emerged as a potential target. NBA Insider Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports shared some intel from an executive that he spoke to. According to that executive, the Lakers are a team to keep an eye on when it comes to Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks.
“[The Lakers] went out and got tradeable pieces. If the Hawks don’t make a move [to trade Young] in the summer, the Lakers would be a possibility next season. It would take a lot, and things would have to align just right for that. I also don’t buy that every guy who signs with [Klutch Sports] is going to the Lakers, that is obviously not the case. But this is one they have been watching.”
The price to acquire Young would likely be very high. The Hawks have done everything they could to build the roster around him as his skill set requires a specific group of players to be put around him to succeed.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
If Atlanta has another early exit from the postseason, which they are well on their way to after getting hammered by the Boston Celtics in the first two games of their series, changes could come this offseason. It would be a bit surprising to see the Hawks throw in the towel on the Young/Dejounte Murray pairing so quickly, but the decision may be out of their hands.
We have seen how things play out when a player asks out of town. Usually, they get what they want one way or another. Being a Klutch Sports client, it is easy to connect Young to the Lakers. But, the Hawks may not be able to get as much in a trade for Young as they would hope.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
There are real flaws in his game, especially on the defensive end of the court. Even with Murray in the fold, Young remains a high-usage, low-efficiency shooter on offense as well. He has two All-Star appearances under his belt, but there would be some hurdles to acquiring Young and integrating him into the lineup for the Lakers or any team that pursues him should he become available.
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