Lakers Will Become Contenders in September With This Trade

Lakers Will Become Contenders In September With This Trade https://t.co/16dAzQ0cqk

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) August 1, 2024

Lakers Acquire:
-Malcolm Brogdon
-Jerami Grant
-Robert Williams III
-Corey Kispert

Wizards Acquire:
-D’Angelo Russell
-Gabe Vincent
-Christian Wood
-Unprotected 2029 first-round pick
-Pick swaps in 2028
-2025 second-round pick via LA Clippers

Trail Blazers Acquire:
-Rui Hachimura
-Jarred Vanderbilt
-Jalen Hood-Schifino
-Cam Reddish
-Jaxson Hayes
-Maxwell Lewis
-Unprotected 2031 first-round pick
-Pick swaps in 2026
-2027 second-round pick

This deal moves the needle in so many ways for the Lakers, though it doesn’t give them their flashy third star per se. It makes them have a legit nine-man rotation if Knecht starts contributing immediately. So the Lakers become contenders in September with this trade.

The only thing stopping this trade from taking place immediately is Brogdon’s current restriction. He was recently traded to the Wizards, so two months have to pass before he can switch teams again.

We have just seen the Celtics win an NBA title with a core of eight players with elite 3-point shooting and defense. The Lakers would be replicating this. They will also be doubling down on their size approach. Adding Williams III and Grant gives them more size to go against contenders in the West like the Thunder, Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Mavericks. This deal sees them match up well against contenders in the East and West.