Lakers Rumors: How LA can survive the worst case scenario this summer

Give OKC a trade deal they can’t refuse

Solving the Paul George dilemma is something that still feels unsettled in the NBA. When he was with the Pacers, the hot topic of him landing in Los Angeles wouldn’t stop until the Thunder came out of nowhere and landed him.

That turned into a win-win, at least for now, if you look at what both teams got out of it. The Thunder got a superstar to join Russell Westbrook after doing a season as the solo Superman and Indiana got their franchise guy in Victor Oladipo.

But Oklahoma City isn’t clueless, right?

They have to know that when George hits free agency, the Lakers are going to hit the gas pedal for him harder than we’ve probably seen any team go after a free agent in the last few years.

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It’d be crazy to not see them explore the trade options for George right now, even with the team climbing in the standings and the Lakers in dead last of the Western Conference.

Having young talent that could bloom somewhere else is definitely a strength for the Lakers, and they have to know how to use that to their advantage by now. There’s plenty of variables that can factor into what they can give the Thunder, but I am sold on one particular move at this point.

This deal gets two of the trade conversation players out of Los Angeles and gets them their first superstar without having to deal with the summer. This avoids the speculation in the summertime of what George will do, taking the decision away from him in a way since he’ll already be home.

Send Luol Deng and Julius Randle to the Thunder, and in return ask Oklahoma City for George and young center Dakari Johnson. Los Angeles just recently let go of big man Andrew Bogut, and if they’re going to give finding a center a shot, does it hurt to see what one more young guy has in the tank?

Again, this is more of an avoidance scenario instead of a survival tactic. But this does eliminate unnecessary suspense and actually clears the way for them to pursue someone else like LeBron James or another free agent if they really wanted to.