Lakers News: Insider Proposes Bold LA Trade With Doomed Franchise
With the NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the more active teams. The front office knows that they have to make some sort of trade to get this team back toward championship contention.
Their season has been filled with extreme ups and downs, and it has been frustrating to watch the inconsistency. They've been linked with some All-Star-level talent, but nothing can come to fruition just yet.
NBA Insider Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed a bold trade idea between the Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Brooklyn Nets.
The Lakers would receive Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, John Konchar, Xavier Tillman Sr., Dorian Finney-Smith, and a trade exception ($10.5 million).
The Grizzlies would get Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Harry Giles III, a 2029 first-rounder, and trade exceptions ($8.3 million, $2.4 million, and $1.9 million).
Brooklyn would get D'Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and trade exceptions ($14 million, $2 million).
Now this trade would take a lot of planning to make happen, but it's certainly bold. The Grizzlies would be blowing up almost their entire roster, while the Lakers would be bringing in some major depth and shooting.
"The Lakers get one of the better defensive guards in the league in Smart, to complement Austin Reaves in the backcourt. The Lakers add two wings shooting roughly 41 percent each this season from three-point range. Finney-Smith gives the team a 6'7" defender to join holdovers Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Max Christie."
This trade would be a game-changer for the Lakers if it were executed. Adding Smart to the mix would give them another strong defender on the perimeter, and he brings plenty of postseason experience with him.
The Lakers have been after Finney-Smith for some time now, and he would give them more depth on the wing, who can shoot the ball. He has shot 40.1% from three-point land this season.
It remains to be seen if a deal like this could get done, but this would be a win for the Lakers. Adding more quality role players to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis is always a recipe for success.
