Lakers Rumors: Possible trade packages to receive a great sixth man
By Jason Reed
If the Lakers maintain their pick there is almost full certainty that the team will go with a guard in one of the top three selections. Even if they don’t go with a guard, instead of picking up somebody like Josh Jackson, they would likely run him at shooting guard, which makes their backcourt more expendable. Instead of holding onto Clarkson, making him the sixth, the Lakers here go out and get a big man.
Enes Kanter is a great young talent that has really thrived behind Steven Adams in Oklahoma City. Quite frankly, Kanter may be better than Ivica Zubac, which would slide Kanter into the starting role and Zubac back on the bench. Regardless, acquiring Kanter would give the Lakers the perfect duo at center to make a deeper push in the season.
Last season in 21.2 minutes per game Kanter averaged a solid 14.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks. More often than not, the Thunder big men let Russell Westbrook haul in rebounds for his coveted triple-doubles, so in a Lakers team, we may see that number rise.
Not only that, somewhere around 25 minutes per game would better suit Kanter, likely raising his averages to above 15 points per game while floating around ten rebounds.
Overall, Kanter would be a great addition to the Los Angeles Lakers and could be a movable piece for the Thunder. With Steven Adams only getting better, the Thunder may seek to free up some cap space, thus dealing Kanter.