Lakers Rumors: Trade Packages that would Land Los Angeles a Superstar

Now, on the surface, this deal might not make much sense for the Warriors as they are sending their defensive leader to the division rival Los Angeles Lakers, but when looking into the motive of the move this could very well happen in real life. Draymond Green is a solid power forward that would likely revert back to small forward for Los Angeles.

The problem the Warriors have is that Steph Curry is an unrestricted free agent after this season, and Kevin Durant has a player option to exercise. Golden State has three possibilities, have each guy take a pay cut to play together, sign both guys but have literally no bench, or pick between the two. Now, the Warriors smartest move would be to send Green to LA for Brandon Ingram.

The reason this deal is so smart is because Draymond takes up $15 million in cap space next year, with each subsequent year adding by about $1 million. Brandon Ingram takes up $10 million less in cap space, which gives the Warriors $10 million more to spend. In a real life situation, the Warriors would either opt to not include Brewer or have the Lakers pay some of his contract, regardless, the team would still be freeing up space for Durant and Curry.

Then, Durant could play the four and Ingram play the three. They have the ability to allow Ingram to grow, and the Lakers get a solid leader and defender at the small forward position. That physicality is something the Lakers lack. While he is only averaging 10.3 points, 7.1 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game, on the Lakers he would have a bigger role and produce more.

Expect Draymond to average something around 18.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game for the Lakers, now that would be an asset the Lakers would welcome with open arms.