Victor Oladipo

The Lakers Trade Machine: Ranked By Position, Feasibility, Fit, Age, & Cost!

November 3, 2020 By LakerTom 20 Comments

When the games are over and the offseason begins, there’s nothing as fun, exciting, exhilarating, frustrating, or polarizing for Lakers fans than talking about trades, whom to pursue, whom to trade, who says YES, who says NO.

So here is Lakerholics.Com’s ‘Laker Trade Machine’ with rankings by position, fit, cost, and attainability for every potential trade target the Los Angeles Lakers might be interested in pursuing a trade for this offseason:

RANKING (In order of Importance):

Feasibility: A=Doable, F=Not Doable
Fit: A=Great Fit, F=Poor Fit
Cost: A=Affordable, F=Prohibitive
Age: A=In Prime, F=Too Old

POINT GUARDS:

Dennis Schroder
OKC Thunder, 27 yrs old, 6′ 1″ 172 lbs, $15.5M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 18.9/3.6/4.0, FG%/3P%/FT%: 46.9/38.5/83.9
Feasibility: B, Fit: A, Cost: B, Age: A
Goran Dragic
Miami Heat, 34 yrs old, 6′ 3″ 190 lbs, $19.2M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 16.2/3.2/5.1, FG%/3P%/FT%: 44.1/36.7/77.6
Feasibility: B, Fit: A, Cost: B, Age: D
Chris Paul
OKC Thunder, 35 yrs old, 6′ 1″ 175 lbs, $41.4M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 17.6/5.0/6.7, FG%/3P%/FT%:48.9/36.5/90.7
Feasibility: B, Fit: A, Cost: C, Age: D
Derrick Rose
Detroit Pistons, 32 yrs old, 6′ 2″ 200 lbs, $7.7M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 18.1/2.4/5.6, FG%/3P%/FT%: 49.0/30.6/87.1
Feasibility: B, Fit: C, Cost: A, Age: C
Jrue Holiday
New Orleans Pelicans, 30 yrs old, 6′ 2″ 205 lbs, $26.2M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 19.1/4./6.7, FG%/3P%/FT%: 45.5/35.3/70.9
Feasibility: C, Fit: A, Cost: D, Age: B
Spencer Dinwiddie
Brooklyn Nets, 27 yrs old, 6′ 5″ 215 lbs, $11.5M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 20.6/3.5/6.8, FG%/3P%/FT%: 41.5/30.8/77.8
Feasibility: C, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: A

SHOOTING GUARDS:

Victor Oladipo
Indiana Pacers, 28 yrs old, 6′ 4″ 213 lbs, $21.0M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 23.1/5.6/5.2* FG%/3P%/FT%: 47.7/37.1/79.0*
Feasibility: B, Fit: A, Cost: B, Age: A
(* 2017–18)
Buddy Hield
Sacramento Kings, 27 yrs old, 6′ 4″ 220 lbs, $24.9M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 19.2/4.6/3.0, FG%/3P%/FT%: 42.9/39.4/84.6
Feasibility: B, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: A
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Sacramento Kings, 28 yrs old, 6′ 6″ 220 lbs, $10.7M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 15.1/3.4/3.4, FG%/3P%/FT%: 44.0/37.2/74.1
Feasibility: C, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: A
J.J. Redick
New Orleans Pelicans, 36 yrs old, 6′ 3″ 200 lbs, $13.0M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 18.1/2.4/5.6, FG%/3P%/FT%: 45.3/45.3/89.2
Feasibility: C, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: D
Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls, 25 yrs old, 6′ 6″ 200 lbs, $19.5M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 15.3/2.5/2.0, FG%/3P%/FT%: 44.7/37.5/80.2
Feasibility: D, Fit: A, Cost: D, Age: A
Bradley Beal
Washington Wizards, 27 yrs old, 6′ 3″ 207 lbs, $28.8M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 30.5/4.2/6.1, FG%/3P%/FT%: 45.5/35.3/84.2
Feasibility: D, Fit: A, Cost: D, Age: A

SMALL FORWARDS:

Maurice Harkless
New York Knicks, 27 yrs old, 6′ 7″ 220 lbs, $11.0M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 5.8/3.9/1.1, FG%/3P%/FT%: 45.5/28.0/62.5
Feasibility: B. Fit: C, Cost: C, Age: A
Rodney Hood
Portland Trail Blazers, 28 yrs old, 6′ 8″ 208 lbs, $6.0M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 11.0/3.4/1.5, FG%/3P%/FT%: 50.6/49.3/77.8
Feasibility: C, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: B
Joe Ingles
Utah Jazz, 33 yrs old, 6′ 7″ 220 lbs, $10.9M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 9.8/3.9/5.2, FG%/3P%/FT%: 44.5/39.9/78.7
Feasibility: C, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: C
DeMar DeRozan
San Antonio Spurs, 31 yrs old, 6′ 6″ 200 lbs, $27.7M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 22.1/5.5/5.6, FG%/3P%/FT%: 53.1/25.7/84.5
Feasibility: C, Fit: D, Cost: C, Age: C
Joe Harris
Brooklyn Nets, 29 yrs old, 6′ 6″ 220 lbs, $7.7M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 14.5/4.3/2.1, FG%/3P%/FT%: 48.6/42.4/71.9
Feasibility: D, Fit: C, Cost: C, Age: B
Gordon Hayward
Boston Celtics, 30 yrs old, 6′ 7″ 225 lbs, $34.2M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 17.5/6.7/4.1, FG%/3P%/FT%: 50.0/38.3/85.5
Feasibility: D, Fit: C, Cost: D, Age: B

POWER FORWARDS:

Christian Wood
Detroit Pistons, 24 yrs old, 6′ 11″ 214 lbs, $1.6M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 13.1/6.3/1.0, FG%/3P%/FT%: 56.7/38.6/74.4
Feasibility: B, Fit: A, Cost: C, Age: A
Danilo Gallinari
OKC Thunder, 32 yrs old, 6′ 10″ 233 lbs, $22.6M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 18.7/5.2/1.9, FG%/3P%/FT%: 43.8/40.5/89.3
Feasibility: B, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: C
Kevin Love
Cleveland Cavaliers, 32 yrs old, 6′ 8″ 220 lbs, $31.3M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 17.6/9.8/3.2, FG%/3P%/FT%: 45.0/37.4/85.4
Feasibility: B, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: D
Jerami Grant
Denver Nuggets, 26 yrs old, 6′ 8″ 220 lbs, $9.4M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 12.0/3.5/1.2, FG%/3P%/FT%: 47.8/38.9/75.0
Feasibility: C, Fit: A, Cost: C, Age: A
Davis Bertans
Washington Wizards, 27 yrs old, 6′ 10″ 225 lbs, $7.0M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 15.4/4.5/1.7, FG%/3P%/FT%: 43.4/42.4/85.2
Feasibility: C, Fit: A, Cost: C, Age: A
Robert Covington
Houston Rockets, 29 yrs old, 6′ 7″ 209 lbs, $12.1M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 12.4/6.6/1.3, FG%/3P%/FT%: 43.5/34.6/79.8
Feasibility: C, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: B

CENTERS:

Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers, 24 yrs old, 6′ 11″ 250 lbs, $18.0M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 12.1/6.6/1.2, FG%/3P%/FT%: 45.7/34.4/76.8
Feasibility: B, Fit: A, Cost: C, Age: A
Aron Baynes
Phoenix Suns, 33 yrs old, 6′ 10″ 260 lbs, $5.5M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 11.5/5.6/1.6, FG%/3P%/FT%: 48.0/35.1/74.7
Feasibility: B, Fit: B, Cost: B Age: C
Tristan Thompson
Cleveland Cavaliers, 29 yrs old, 6′ 9″ 254 lbs, $18.5M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 12.0/10.1/2.1, FG%/3P%/FT%: 51.2/39.1/61.5
Feasibility: B, Fit: C, Cost: B, Age: B
Serge Ibaka
Toronto Raptors, 31 yrs old, 7′ 0″ 235 lbs, $23.3M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 15.4/8.2/1.4, FG%/3P%/FT%: 51.2/38.5/71.8
Feasibility: C, Fit: B, Cost: B, Age: C
Nikola Vucevic
Orlando Magic, 29 yrs old, 6′ 11″ 250 lbs, $26.0M salary
Pts/Reb/Ast: 19.6/10.9/3.6, FG%/3P%/FT%: 47.7/33.9/78.4
Feasibility: C, Fit: B, Cost: C, Age: B
Marc Gasol
Toronto Raptors, 35 yrs old, 6′ 11″ 255 lbs, $25.6M salary (S&T/MLE)
Pts/Reb/Ast: 7.5/6.3/3.3, FG%/3P%/FT%: 42.7/38.5/73.5
Feasibility: C, Fit: C, Cost: B, Age: D

How Mega Trade With Pacers Could Power Lakers Repeat as Champions!

October 29, 2020 By LakerTom 2 Comments

In the wake of the 2020 Championship and the stifling reality of a pandemic afflicted 2021 season, the pieces are there for a potential blockbuster trade just waiting to be made between the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers need a stud guard to be their third superstar to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis in their quest for more championships and then to take the baton from LeBron when he retires as Davis’ co-superstar. They also need a true modern center whose 3-point shooting can stretch defenses and create spacing to free up James and Davis while protecting the rim and defending the perimeter to allow Anthony Davis to play the four.

The Pacers need to move on from both Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner this offseason as neither play key roles in their future plans. Oladipo wants a max contract he’s not going to get and Turner’s been supplanted by Sabonis. Waiting to move Oladipo will only further diminish what they could get in return as trading for him at the deadline will only yield rental value while keeping Turner will only stifle Sabonis’ emergence as the team’s future.

The Lakers are willing to risk swinging to hit a home run while the Pacers would prefer to patiently wait out the pandemic so there’s a middle ground where both teams can get want they want in a blockbuster trade.

WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF THE PROPOSED TRADE?

Ironically, the more coveted player in the trade is the Pacer’s undervalued center Myles Turner and not guard Victor Oladipo, whose lingering injury and looming free agent status have dramatically lowered his trade value. Considering there’s more interest in Turner rather than Oladipo, it makes sense to break the mega trade down into two separate trades to better be able to judge the merits of the specific offers for each of the Pacers’ players.

Rumors have suggested a Myles Turner trade could even yield the Pacers a borderline star like Gordon Hayward from the Boston Celtics or Andrew Wiggins and the second pick in the draft from the Golden State Warriors. While Hayward’s dubious injury history and Wiggin’s specious resume raise major questions, there’s no doubt that there’s serious interest in trading for Myles Turner by several of the Lakers’ major competitors in the NBA.

That’s why the Lakers are going to have make an offer that includes players whom they would normally consider untouchable in trade discussions if they have any hope of interesting the Pacers in trading Turner and Oladipo.

Here’s the proposed trade for Pacers’ center Myles Turner:

Here’s the proposed trade for Pacers’ guard Victor Oladipo:

WHY WOULD THE LAKERS AGREE TO THE TRADE?

There will be a large number of Lakers’ fans who will understandably be dead set against trading Caldwell-Pope and Caruso, two of the team’s top contributors responsible for the team winning their 17th championship. Realistically, the Lakers cannot expect to trade for two impact players like Turner and Oladipo, who could transform the team into a juggernaut, without giving up serious talent in return. That’s what trades are all about.

The centerpiece in the trade is 24-year old Myles Turner, who would give the Lakers a true modern center to provide 3-point shooting and spacing on offense and rim protection and perimeter speed and quickness on defense. Turner’s a proven 3-point shooter and elite shot blocker, who would be the Lakers’ starting center, replacing traditional low post centers JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard and allowing Anthony Davis to play power forward.

Trading for Oladipo is a gamble that he’ll recover completely to return to be the player he was before the injury and will re-sign with the Lakers but the risk is worth the reward as he could be the superstar guard the Lakers need. Victor is only 28-years old and a former 3rd team All-NBA and 1st team All-Defensive player. That’s the the kind of storied resume that enticed the Lakers to sign Avery Bradley, Rajon Rondo, and Dwight Howard.

Imagine Turner and Oladipo replacing McGee and Green next season and the Lakers starting a lineup that would be taller, longer, faster, quicker, and more mobile and athletic at both ends of the court than last year’s squad. Turner and Oladipo would fill the Lakers’ needs for a third scorer, second playmaker, wing defender, and modern center and their version of ‘small ball’ that dominated the playoffs would become their ‘48-minutes’ lineup.

WHY WOULD THE PACERS AGREE TO THE TRADE?

The Pacers have a new coach in Nate Bjorkgren and are on a new course that does not include Myles Turner, who has unfortunately been supplanted by Domantas Sabonis, or Victor Oladipo, who looking to sign a max contract. While the Pacers should receive attractive offers for Turner, Oladipo’s trade value has cratered due to his lackluster play after returning from injury and his looming free agency and continued demand for a max contract.

While Myles Turner has been a mainstay of the Pacers defense, he’s struggled to be productive when paired on the court with Sabonis, who has become the star around whom Indiana is planning on building their team. That’s become common knowledge around the league resulting in Turner becoming a coveted trade target, which is why the Lakers are willing to offer two of their top role players in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso.

The Victor Oladipo side of the trade also gives the Pacers great young talent to help them compete for a playoff spot while rebuilding by adding talented Kyle Kuzma, veteran Danny Green, and the Lakers 2020 first round pick. That’s more than any of the trades being proposed in the media for Oladipo and guarantees the Pacers won’t end up losing him at the trade deadline as a short term rental or next offseason for nothing as a free agent.

Imagine a Pacers’ starting lineup with Brogdon, Caldwell-Pope, Warren, Kuzma, and Sabonis that is better offensively and defensively and a deeper and more diverse bench with Caruso, Green, Holiday, Leaf, and McGee. Pacers’ new head coach Bjorkgren will be able to focus on a set roster with elite young defenders like KCP, Kuzma, and Caruso and veteran leaders and mentors like Green and McGee to help build a strong culture and chemistry.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THE TRADE HAPPENS?

Mega trades are always difficult to predict, especially with coronavirus pandemic still raging and the coming offseason and next season slated to be shorter than normal with unprecedented conditions and expectations. Chances are likely small market teams like the Pacers will be seeking to slash expenses by trading Myle Turner to get out of the 3-years left on his contract and Victor Oladipo to avoid having to give him a new max contract.

So the question is not whether the Indiana Pacers are going to trade Turner and Oladipo but what they’re going to be able to get in return for them in a difficult market where there are likely to be a lot more sellers than buyers. The willingness of the Lakers to actually include two of their championship core in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso is also no sure thing. While neither is a legitimate star player, they are proven elite role players.

When you add Kuzma, Mcgee, Green, and a 2020 first round pick, the Lakers’ offer is a substantive offer and the trade machine projections predict the Pacers will end up with a net gain of 15 wins if they complete the trade. Alternatively, adding a modern center like Turner and healthy superstar like Oladipo could transform the Lakers into a championship dynasty. That raises the possibility this trade could be one of those rare win-win trades.

Three Exciting Moves To Make Lakers Offense As Good As Their #1 Defense!

August 30, 2020 By LakerTom 7 Comments

While the Lakers have what may be the best defense in the NBA playoffs, their offense is prone to struggling, especially when their shooters are not hitting from deep and teams are packing the paint to limit their superstars.

The Lakers’ offense needs a third superstar who’s a guard, a center who can stretch the floor, and a coaching staff who can create an offensive scheme to better empower superstar forwards LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Making savvy moves to accomplish these three goals during the coming offseason should be the Lakers’ top priority. Here are three exciting moves they should make to upgrade their offense to match their elite defense:

1. Re-sign DeMarcus Cousins

Despite evidence the Lakers’ best lineup is with Anthony Davis at the five, the Lakers don’t appear interested in making that their starting or primary lineup at this time since Davis continues to prefer to play power forward.

The dilemma the Lakers face is the two centers they currently rely upon are both traditional back-to-the-basket defensive centers JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard, who tend to clog up the paint and hurt offensive spacing. Because Vogel’s a strong believer great defense starts inside-out with rim protection, any Lakers’ stretch five center will need to be able defensively to hold his ground in the post as well as be a legit threat as a 3-point shooter.

Re-signing DeMarcus Cousins is the logical answer to finding a center who can space the floor as well as defend in the low post. Cousins experience playing alongside Anthony Davis in New Orleans make the ideal choice. Before his Achilles injury two years ago, Boogie was on pace to become the first center in NBA history to take over 500 and make close to 200 threes, which was why the Lakers originally signed him at the start of last season.

NBA observers expect Dwight Howard to leave the Lakers in free agency this offseason and DeMarcus Cousins to be re-signed as his replacement. Re-signing Boogie would be the first step to upgrading the Lakers’ offense.

2. Trade for Victor Oladipo

The Pacers’ poor performance in the NBA playoffs has resulted in the firing of head coach Nate McMillan and rumors the team should trade 28-year old All-Star guard Victor Oladipo before he becomes a free agent next season.

The arguments to trade Oladipo include concerns about the small market Pacers’ financial ability to retain him in free agency and worries regarding his health and fit with a team that played better without him than with him. Right now, the Pacers are not able to offer Victor an extension for more than 20% more than the $21 million he is going to be paid next season, which means they would have to wait until next season if they want to keep him.

Waiting to try and sign Oladipo to a max contract two offseasons from now raises the risk of losing him for nothing, which the Pacers cannot afford to do. That’s why everybody expects them to look to trade him this offseason. Oladipo will also have the same leverage Anthony Davis used to force his way to the Lakers by threatening not to re-sign if the Pacers don’t trade him to a team he prefers, which could open the door for the Lakers to get him.

LeBron should follow Kawhi’s example with PG and meet with Victor and convince him to demand a trade to the Lakers for Kuzma, Green, and a pick. It would be an opportunity for Victor to win a ring with LeBron and AD.

3. Hire Alvin Gentry

There’s no question Frank Vogel’s a great defensive coach and has done a fantastic job coaching LeBron James and Anthony Davis and positioned the Lakers to have a great chance at winning their 17th NBA championship.

But the Lakers’ offense has not been as dominating as their defense despite having two top-five superstars. The offense relies too heavily on isolation plays for their superstars and lacks the elite spacing of a modern offense. The front office and the difficulty of building a championship roster with limited cap space and trade assets are partially responsible but the coaching staff also deserves blame for the team’s static and dated offensive schemes.

The New Orleans Pelicans’ firing of head coach Alvin Gentry could give the Lakers the perfect opportunity to upgrade their coaching staff with one of the brightest and most respected offensive minds in today’s NBA game. Before his stint as Pelicans’ head coach, Gentry was the lead assistant under Steve Kerr at Golden State and the architect responsible for transforming the Warriors’ offense into a legendary championship juggernaut.

Vogel likes having former head coaches on his staff and we’re likely to have a vacancy. Frank needs an offensive coordinator to innovate that side of the game and Alvin Gentry would be the perfect candidate for the position.

There will surely be changes to the Lakers’ roster next season whether or not they win the championship. Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Avery Bradley, JaVale McGee, and Rajon Rondo all have player options. Dwight Howard, Markieff Morris, Dion Waiters, Jared Dudley, and two-way players Devontae Cacok and Kostas Antetokounmpo will all be free agents. There’s rumors the Lakers could lose Bradley and Howard to free agency.

While the Lakers won’t have cap space, they will have a $9 million MLE, which they could use to sign a veteran point guard like Goran Dragic, who would be the perfect replacement if Avery Bradley opted out of his contract. An upgraded Lakers’ starting lineup next season of Goran Dragic, Victor Oladipo, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins backed by Rondo, Caruso, KCP, Morris, and McGee would be championship caliber.

With the pandemic forcing teams to cut expenses, a rich local television contract, and an ownership committed to winning, the Lakers should have opportunities next season to upgrade their offense to match their defense.

Four Blockbuster Trades That Give the Los Angeles Lakers a Third Superstar!

May 3, 2020 By LakerTom 3 Comments

While most NBA franchises would be happy to win a single championship, the Los Angeles Lakers have always looked for ways to build dynasties that could win multiple championships. That’s how you win 16 championships.

The Los Angeles Lakers have more unfinished business besides finishing the 2019–20 season and winning their 17th NBA championship. Their goal this offseason is going to be to make a blockbuster trade for a third superstar. While speculation has the Lakers waiting until next offseason to pursue forward Giannis Antetokounmpo as their third superstar, the smarter move might be for them to go hard after a young superstar guard this offseason.

When you look at the great superstar duos or trios in NBA history, they all included at least one superstar guard. Magic and Kareem, West and Baylor, Michael and Scotty, Kobe and Shaq, LeBron and Wade, LeBron and Kyrie. Trading for a young superstar guard this summer could actually enhance the Lakers’ chances of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo if he opts to leave Milwaukee next summer by giving them a valuable sign-and-trade chip.

Here are four trades for talented young guards with superstar potential who would be great fits with LeBron and AD and give the Lakers a second star to play alongside the 26-year old Davis when the 35-year old James retires:

1. Lakers Trade for Chicago Bulls’ Shooting guard Zach LaVine

25-year old Zach LaVine would be the perfect complement to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He averaged 25.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game with the Bulls last season while shooting 45.0%/37.5%/80.2%.

The Lakers would have to include their 2020 and 2025 first round picks along with budding star Kyle Kuzma, proven veteran Danny Green, and bench GOAT Alex Caruso to tempt the Bulls to trade the talented LaVine.

But Zach would give the Lakers the third superstar they desperately need to make them the unquestioned best team in the league now and give them the second superstar to go with Davis once the 35-year old James retires.

2. Lakers Trade for Washington Wizards’ Shooting guard Bradley Beal

26-year old Bradley Beal would be a great fit playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He averaged 30.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game with the Wizards last year while shooting 45.2%/35.3%/84.2%.

The Wizards might be tempted by an offer for Beal of potential young star Kyle Kuzma, proven vet Danny Green, bench GOAT Alex Caruso, defensive ace Avery Bradley, and the Lakers’ 2020 and 2025 first round draft picks.

Adding a third superstar like Bradley Beal to the Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis would elevate the Lakers over other NBA teams and give them a young superstar to complement Davis and eventually replace James.

3. Lakers Trade for Indiana Pacers’ Shooting guard Victor Oladipo

27-year old Victor Oladipo would give the Lakers a dynamic young guard to go with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He has career averages of 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 44.1%/35.0%/79.3%.

Because of his injury and looming big raise, the Pacers might be interested in an offer of the Lakers’ 2020 first round pick, young star Kyle Kuzma, bench GOAT Alex Caruso, and proven vet Danny Green for young Victor.

A healthy Oladipo would solve the Lakers need for a third superstar to make them the dominant team in the league and give them a superstar guard to anchor the team with Anthony Davis when LeBron James finally retires.

4. Lakers Trade for Utah Jazz’ shooting guard Donovan Mitchell

23-year old Donovan Mitchell would be an ideal third superstar to go with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He averaged 24.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last year while shooting 45.3%/36.3%/85.9%.

Because Mitchell makes so little, the Lakers would need to offer their 2020 and 2025 first round picks plus Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green, Alex Caruso, and Talen Horton-Tucker for Mitchell and Ingles to interest the Jazz in a trade.

The youngest of the four trade targets, Mitchell would be give the Lakers a superstar shooting guard to go with LeBron and AD and make them the best team in the league and give AD a great running mate after LeBron retires.

Nobody knows if the Bull, Wizards, Pacers, or Jazz are going to be willing to trade a young superstar like Zach LaVine, Bradley Beal, Victor Oladipo, or Donovan Mitchell or whether the Lakers’ offer would be the best available. How the various Lakers’ players included in the above trades perform should the NBA resume the season and playoffs will certainly be a major factor in determining their value in any potential trades this offseason.

Even if they win their 17th championship this season, the Los Angeles Lakers are not going to stand pat. They’re going to be looking to take the team to the next level and build a sustainable championship dynasty.