A multi-piece trade from the LA Lakers appears to be underway following the addition of Rui Hachimura. Los Angeles made a smart deal, sending Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to the Washington Wizards on Monday. Los Angeles needed a wing and they got just that.
The Lakers are now expected to go after the veteran guard. There are several on the market, and there is a good chance that even more will become available during the buyback period.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus reported that the Lakers could still pursue minor deals after adding Hachimura:
“Following the acquisition of Rui Hachimura from the Wizards on Monday, the Lakers can still pursue smaller trades around guards Lonnie Walker IV and Patrick Beverley.”
He then added who the Lakers might be interested in, including Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley.
“Conley’s contract is a bargain, with $14.3 million of the $24.4 million guaranteed next season. The same (real or wannabe) candidates are believed to have interest, including the Lakers, Clippers and Timberwolves,” Pincus wrote.
Pincus reported that teams interested in Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon include the Phoenix Suns, Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks:
“A compromise could consist of a pick swap, with Houston using the Milwaukee Bucks’ first pick (projected to be around No. 25) it has from the PJ Tucker trade in 2021. The Rockets risk less return, but Gordon seems likely to be dealt until the deadline. Interested teams include the Suns, Lakers and Bucks.”
Will the LA Lakers trade put them over the top? Maybe not yet. However, with health and the right additions, LeBron James and Anthony Davis can be more formidable than any other duo in basketball. There’s already a reason why these two won an NBA championship together, and it’s not out of the question to see them do it again.
The Lakers will have to make the right decisions, just like they did with the Hachimura move. Let’s see what general manager Rob Pelinka comes up with as the Lakers look to get back among the title contenders.