Los Angeles Lakers: Cheap trade targets to consider this season

1. SG Pat Connaughton

The Los Angeles Lakers, despite their attempts to go out and get guys that can stretch the floor, have not been shooting good beyond the arc. Los Angeles ranks last in the NBA in three-point percentage — shooting 27.8% in the process. Last season, the Lakers finished 22nd in the NBA while shooting 34.6%.

This is because of the loss of Nick Young, who now has found his perfect home with the Golden State Warriors. Young, a six-foot-seven guard, is averaging six points in just 12.7 minutes played while shooting 48% from beyond the arc. Golden State brought him in exclusively to shoot off the bench, as 3.6 of his 4.3 shots attempted per game are threes.

Last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Young shot 40.4% from beyond the arc. Not great, but certainly kept the numbers from being as low as they got.

To counteract that loss the Lakers could reach out to the Portland Trailblazers for Pat Connaughton. Connaughton has seen an increased role in Portland, averaging 21.7 minutes per game while shooting 48.4% from three.

For Connaughton, the Lakers could package one of their three power forwards with a draft pick, or even better, could somehow work Jordan Clarkson into the deal. Connaughton would cushion the blow of losing Clarkson while freeing up over 10 million in cap space. Let’s not forget, Connaughton shoots 10% better from three than Clarkson.