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

PG Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker has been the hottest name involved in the most recent NBA trade rumors. The Charlotte Hornets reportedly are willing to part ways with Walker if they can also free salary space. Due to Walker’s ability and how important he could be to any contender, the Hornets will have no problem making a suitable trade package.

However, instead of landing on a contending team, Walker may find himself on a team like the Los Angeles Lakers. On paper, Walker is a perfect fit with the Lakers not only for himself but for LA as well. Los Angeles is hungry for superstars, thus, they are not trying to overspend. Walker is a superstar AND is only owed $12 million through next season.

We proposed three different trade packages for Kemba Walker in a separate article and all three leave the Lakers with at least some wiggle room to bring in another star. It takes an established star to bring in stars; that is what Walker is for the Lakers. Alongside Lonzo Ball in the backcourt, Los Angeles becomes a much more intriguing option.

While the Lakers may not be atop the Kemba Walker trade list, the rest of the NBA certainly should not rule out Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka. If anyone was going to pull off that kind of surprise trade, it would be those two.