The Los Angeles Lakers are typically expected to compete for the NBA championship. This is the league’s most storied franchise. If the Lakers aren’t in the title picture, it’s an outlier season.
LeBron James is typically expected to compete for the NBA championship too. If he’s not the best player of all time, he’s in the top-5. James has been the face of the NBA for almost two decades. His presence in the NBA Finals was a foregone conclusion for a long time.
That will not be the case next season. Sure, the Lakers will be in the title picture – but they’re far from favorites to emerge from the Western Conference. With that said a significant trade could change that. Here are three that we think they should consider this season.
Trade No. 1 – Lakers Acquire Terry Rozier From Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets Receive: F Rui Hachimura, F/C Jarred Vanderbilt
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Terry Rozier
This deal would have to wait until midseason. As a matter of fact, most of these deals will. The Lakers extended most of their logical trade chips this summer. For example, they won’t be able to trade Rui Hachimura until close to the deadline.
That’s fine – the Lakers might as well wait. If Hachimura can build on a stellar playoff performance in 2022-23, the Lakers may not want to move him. On the other hand, Hachimura hasn’t been on that level throughout most of his career. If he can’t stay on that trajectory, the Lakers could look to move him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Could they move him to the Charlotte Hornets? It may depend on how well Miles Bridges is reacclimatizing to the NBA. With that said, it seems likely that the Hornets will let PJ Washington go this summer. If they want to bolster their wing depth, they may be happy to send Rozier to the Lakers.
Trade No. 2 – Lakers Acquire Jordan Poole From Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards Receive: G D’Angelo Russell, G/F Gabe Vincent, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Jordan Poole
Here’s another deal where the Lakers have to wait, and should want to wait in the first place. If nothing else, they should be monitoring Poole.
Sure, his name is in the mud right now. It wasn’t long ago that we all agreed that Poole had star potential. We’ll see how he performs in Washington. If Poole looks like the same elite offensive guard that he did in 2021-22, the Lakers could be interested in him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Poole, Washington Wizards & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Will the Washington Wizards be interested in trading him? That depends too. If they’re playing well enough, they may want to hold onto him. Alternatively, they may be content to tank if they’re playing poorly enough. On the other hand, if the Wizards find themselves somewhere between those two extremes, Poole could be a midseason trade candidate. This organization can’t afford to get stuck in the middle again.
Trade No. 3 – Lakers Acquire Bojan Bogdanovic from Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Rui Hachimura, F/C Jarred Vanderbilt
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic
So far, we’ve had the Lakers acquire two offensively gifted guards. That doesn’t mean that’s what they need to do. The Lakers need to increase their firepower.
Playing with LeBron James is simple – if you can shoot, you’ll thrive. The Lakers could stand to add another dynamic offensive player who doubles as a floor spacer. In other words, Bogdanovic would be the perfect target.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Whether the Detroit Pistons are willing to part with him is a different story. if they’re having a surprisingly successful season, they may want to keep the sharpshooter. With that said, if they’re close to the bottom of the standings again, they could help the Lakers make a title push – as they’re expected to, as usual.
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