Lakers Rumors: Possible trades to help prepare for Paul George

Here we see the Utah Jazz prepare for a future without Gordon Hayward, and we see the Lakers dump a huge contract in Luol Deng for two big contracts in Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw. The great thing about this deal is both Johnson and Diaw are free agents after next season, allowing the Lakers to set their contracts free and open up even more for George.

Yet, adding Johnson and Diaw may actually make the Lakers better, but only slightly. Johnson would provide a great dynamic off the bench behind Brandon Ingram, something that Luol Deng and Corey Brewer fail to do. Diaw brings in great shooting from deep, something the Lakers currently lack in their big men.

With the team drafting power forward Kyle Kuzma and center Thomas Bryant (who may be better at the four in the NBA) the team can afford to deal the likes of Nance. Nance has a huge ceiling and has already proven to have intensity near the rim. This would be a relatively cheap option for the Jazz, and would allow them to start the rebuild around Rudy Gobert.

Add in two future picks and this deal seems like a no-brainer for the Jazz. The second round pick next year could be used as trade bait to move up in the draft, and the 2019 pick will be great either way. No matter who finishes where the Jazz would agree to get the better pick between the two teams with the Lakers getting the worse pick.

Owning their own first round pick next year, the team may look to tank down the line without Gordon Hayward. This deal would allow the Jazz to do so.