Lakers trade rumors: Eight targets to watch for at the trade deadline

PF Derrick Favors

Derrick Favors has recently emerged as a potential trade candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that involves both Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. Favors would fit perfectly in the Lakers’ salary cap narrative as his contract is up following the season. If the Lakers wanted to get testy, they could even acquire Joe Johnson in the deal and potentially send another contract to Utah.

I hate saying I called it, but, I kind of did call it. Back in July, I posted a hypothetical trade that would send Julius Randle and Luol Deng to the Jazz for Favors and Johnson. While six months later that may not be the exact trade at hand, it is pretty similar.

For the most part, acquiring Favors may be the best salary dump move the Lakers can make. Utah certainly would be willing to give up the power forward for Clarkson and Randle and may not even ask for a draft pick, like other deals may. In doing this deal, the Lakers are creating somewhere around $60 million in cap space for the 2018 summer.

Favors can still help the Lakers win this season as well, something the organization wants to do to give these young guys experience. Favors is averaging 12.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. Alongside Kyle Kuzma and Larry Nance Jr, Favors helps maintain the Lakers’ deep frontcourt.