Five Trades Lakers Fans Are Eager to See Before the Deadline
As the unofficial trade season kicks off around December 15th, social media and various sports websites explode with trade proposals and speculation. Instead of dismissing these ideas, we thought it would be beneficial to engage with you, the fans, to understand which players you believe the Lakers should pursue. It's evident that the team requires enhancements, but the question remains: Should they aim for blockbuster trades or make smaller, strategic improvements?
Let’s dive into the players you’re most interested in acquiring!
Giannis Antetokounmpo
When it comes to NBA trade discussions, Giannis undoubtedly stands out as a controversial figure. Many fans have put forth various trade scenarios involving the star forward. While some proposals are amusingly unrealistic, the more serious suggestions typically involve sending Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, a first-round pick, and additional salary to match Giannis’ contract.
A key point to consider about these trade offers is that other teams in the league can likely present better deals. While Reaves is an exceptional player, he could become a free agent this summer, and there isn’t anything compelling him to stay with Milwaukee. Furthermore, the dilemma over whether the Lakers should part with Reaves for Giannis adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Even if the answer leans towards yes, the decision is becoming increasingly nuanced.
Herb Jones/Trey Murphy
The Lakers should definitely reach out to New Orleans about Herb Jones or Trey Murphy—every team should be taking advantage of the Pelicans’ questionable front office decisions. Reports indicate that the Lakers have shown interest in Jones, and both players would be excellent additions to a Lakers squad that needs shooting wings capable of defending well.
To focus on a potential trade for Herb Jones: securing either him or Murphy would be a significant win for the Lakers at this trade deadline, as both are expected to be hot commodities. However, considering the current state of affairs, it appears New Orleans isn’t willing to part with them without receiving premium assets in return, including numerous draft picks.
Switching gears to Trey Murphy, while including a draft pick might be appealing, it still feels insufficient. Similar to the scenario with Jones, New Orleans is probably weighing better offers from other franchises, leaving the Lakers at a disadvantage.
Clippers
It’s entertaining to poke fun at the Clippers, but what would be even more enjoyable is acquiring some of their talented players. One proposed trade involved swapping Gabe Vincent for Chris Paul and Brook Lopez. While it’s an interesting concept, the reality is that both Paul and Lopez have seen better days; they no longer possess the same impact as they once did. Vincent, however, remains a viable player.
Another intriguing idea was a three-team deal that could land the Lakers Corey Kispert, Derrick Jones Jr., and Kris Dunn in exchange for Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber, and Bronny James. Each of those players individually could enhance the Lakers, but collectively asking for all three feels excessive. Smaller, targeted trades for one of them could be more feasible and beneficial.
Kispert is a sharpshooter on the wing, while Jones Jr. has previously thrived as an athletic wing alongside Luka Doncic. Dunn, known for his defensive prowess, might need to resolve his past interactions with Luka.
Lastly, there was a minor trade suggestion involving Bronny James for Cam Christie. Some fans are already frustrated with Bronny’s presence on the roster, but it’s important to note that Christie may offer a better skill set and potential development path. However, as long as LeBron James is around, I suspect Bronny will remain part of the team.
Keon Ellis
We’ve already discussed one trade involving Keon Ellis, but here’s a straightforward two-team deal proposal. It’s likely just a clerical error that grants the Lakers the right to swap picks with Sacramento, as it doesn’t benefit the Kings at all. Regardless, it seems unlikely that this trade would go through merely based on a pick swap.
The Kings find themselves in a tricky position—while they recognize Ellis’s value, they aren’t utilizing him effectively. He would be a great addition for the Lakers, so they should definitely inquire about him. The real question, however, is whether it’s worth sacrificing one of their limited first-round picks to obtain him.
Going All In
The final trade suggestion is quite radical: it involves sending Austin Reaves to Houston for what many perceive as a very low return. I’m not against trading Reaves outright, but it would need to be for an exceptionally strong offer. As an All-NBA caliber player this season, Reaves holds great potential for the Lakers, particularly in terms of cap space leverage for the upcoming summer, where they could potentially form a new Big Three.
If the plan is to trade him to Houston, the Lakers must ensure they receive significantly more than just an underdeveloped young guard and a role player. Austin has clearly demonstrated that he is too valuable to let go for such a modest offer.
What do you think about these trade scenarios? Do you agree with the proposed players? Or do you believe the Lakers should take a different approach altogether? Share your thoughts in the comments!
