Already having two of the league’s best players, the Los Angeles Lakers could be in a position to acquire another star.
The 2020 Lakers proved they deserved to be the last-team standing at the end of the season, dominating their way to the franchise’s 17th championship.
They could, however, add even more firepower to their lineup.
There are a handful of trades the Lakers could make to welcome a new star to the dynamic Los Angeles roster.
What the Lakers, at times, lacked this past year was dependable guard presence, with a rotation of players who contributed in their roles.
It is also anticipated that guards Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will leave during free agency.
Assuming the organization brings back star forward Anthony Davis, it should be expected that the front office’s attention will shift to their backcourt.
The guard market is anticipated to be a hot one this offseason.
There are two players that stand out as a great fit for the Lakers’ system: Victor Oladipo and Bradley Beal.
1. Victor Oladipo
For a team that would greatly benefit from a dynamic talent on the perimeter, Victor Oladipo would fit the bill.
The 28 year-old rose as one of the league’s star guards during the 2017-18 season where, after being traded to the Indiana Pacers during the offseason, he averaged 23.1 PPG.
The 2020 season was rough on Oladipo after sitting out much of it due to a rupture in his right quad from 2019.
He only played in 19 games for the Pacers this past season.
For the Lakers, this could mean a lower selling point on a guard that was steadily improving before his injury.
Oladipo is entering the last year of his contract, and there are reports of an icy relationship with the Pacers’ front office.
However, the guard recently expressed desires to remain with the team and his commitment to the franchise.
If the Pacers do elect to trade Oladipo, the Lakers could end up being a landing spot.
Two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo has informed the Pacers that he is fully committed to the franchise and direction of team entering the upcoming season, he tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. https://t.co/tZwhFkhqrk
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 13, 2020
2. Bradley Beal
For the shooting guard position, Bradley Beal has been one of the position’s premier players the past four years.
With 30.5 PPG In 2020, he broke out as one of the league’s best scorers.
Entering the final year of his contract, the Washington Wizards will likely shop the 27-year-old guard before the season.
With the playmaking abilities of LeBron James, Beal would become a dangerous option for the Lakers.
The biggest problem is the price-tag.
The Lakers would have to be willing to give up a lot to bring Beal in, causing their roster depth would take a hit.
Any trade would involve key players to the Lakers’ 2020 success, including Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, and others.
They may also have to give up their first-round pick.
Either Oladipo or Beal could prove to be another addition to a Lakers team that appeared unstoppable last season.
Other Trade Possibilities
While the Lakers haven’t reached out about these options yet, expect them to before the season begins.
The Lakers have been showing interest in another of the league’s best shooting guards, DeMar DeRozan.
A veteran in the league, DeRozan averaged 22.1 PPG with the San Antonio Spurs last season.
Lakers have interest in trading for DeMar DeRozan, per @KevinOConnorNBA
Spurs would get Kuzma and Danny Green pic.twitter.com/fz1JVGDmbx
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 12, 2020
Whatever the move ends up being, anticipate the Lakers making noise this free agency.
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