Lakers Trade Rumors: Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez Among Potential Targets https://t.co/ydTEhuklot via @BasketBallInsiders
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 13, 2024
According to the latest Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors, Milwaukee Bucks stars Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic have been mentioned as notable targets for the Purple and Gold.
Proposed three-team trade package
Then there’s the possibility of the Lakers only trading for Lillard and a few role players.
FanSided’s Craig Miller recently posted a three-team blockbuster trade involving the Bucks, Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs. The full trade details are as follows:
Lakers receive:
-Damian Lillard
-Charles Bassey
-Sandro Mamukelashvili
Bucks acquire:
-D’Angelo Russell
-Rui Hachimura
-Gabe Vincent
-2029 first-round pick (via LAL)
-2031 first-round pick (via LAL)
-2026 second-round pick (via SA)
Spurs receive:
-Jalen Hood-Schifino
-Christian Wood
-2025 second-round pick,
-2030 second-round pick (via LAL)
-2031 second-round pick (via MIL)
Lakers might trade for both Lillard and Lopez
Based on the proposed trade package shown above, neither Lopez nor Nurkic is featured in the potential deal. Having said that, perhaps the Lakers would be better off with both Lillard and Lopez.
Lopez, 36, is in the final season of the two-year, $48 million contract he signed with Milwaukee last July. While Lopez is six years older than Nurkic, the Bucks center has still played in more games than Nurkic over the past few seasons.
Lopez appeared in 78 games in 2022-23 and 79 contests last season. Meanwhile, Nurkic has played in at least 70 games in a single campaign just once (76 games last season) since 2018-19.
If the Lakers can acquire both Lillard and Lopez, the 7-footer would provide insurance in the event that both Christian Koloko and Jaxon Hayes get injured. Anthony Davis is dealing with foot injuries as well.
Los Angeles has a number of injury-prone players, and LeBron James turns 40 in December. If the Lakers want to have any chance of winning another championship, an in-season blockbuster trade is necessary.
Not a fan of trading for either Lillard or Lopez. Lakers should not give up their two picks unless for young and affordable players with star upside who can start right now. Can’t waste the picks on guys who will be gone in a few years. Use picks for 23 and 25 year olds, not 34 and 36 year olds.
Yep