Los Angeles Lakers: Cheap trade targets to consider this season

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3. C Jahlil Okafor

A Jahlil Okafor trade to the Los Angeles Lakers makes perfect sense; it is shocking that it has not already happened. More fuel has been added to the flames as the 76ers reportedly declined the fourth-year option for Okafor, making him an unrestricted free agent after this season. Now, with a frontcourt jam in Philadelphia, trading Okafor is inevitable.

For the Lakers, Okafor not only is a cheap option to trade for but he can accomplish many things. Philadelphia likely is not asking for much, likely to the tune of a second-round draft pick and young talent like Josh Hart.

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However, the Lakers can turn it up a notch and accomplish two things with this trade. First, the Lakers could acquire a better backup to Brook Lopez that they can resign for cheap next season. Second, the Lakers could attempt to package Clarkson and Deng for Okafor and J.J. Redick. In doing so, the Lakers are freeing up over $80 million in cap space for 2018.

While Okafor’s stats are not the most impressive, this is primarily because of his falling out in the 76ers rotation. With Joel Embiid and Dario Saric in the frontcourt, Okafor has not seen much time to play.

Still, this is the third overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft we are talking about. This is the guy the Los Angeles Lakers almost selected over D’Angelo Russell. Now, the Lakers can get him for cheap.

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Overall, the ceiling for Okafor is still immensely high and he could become ht franchise center of the future for Los Angeles. Although the 76ers do not believe in Okafor, the Lakers definitely should.

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