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Lakers trade rumors: Three way-too-early offseason trades to consider

By Jason Reed

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Rob Pelinka, General Manager of Los Angeles Lakers, speaks during Los Angeles Lakers Media Day September 25, 2017, in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Rob Pelinka, General Manager of Los Angeles Lakers, speaks during Los Angeles Lakers Media Day September 25, 2017, in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Lakers Trade Rumors /

Trade three (Most impactful):

I already know how this goes; most Laker fans would scoff as this deal because they think Brandon Ingram has a ceiling higher than Kawhi Leonard and Spurs fans will scoff at this because Leonard is a top-five player in the NBA.

Put it this way: at his absolute best, Brandon Ingram may be able to hit the same level of Kawhi Leonard. While you may disagree with me now, if he did get traded, you would say the same thing. See: D’Angelo Russell.

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And for Spurs fans, you are trading a guy that seemingly does not want to play on your team for a young stud and some future draft picks. Leonard gets to go play at home, the Spurs get to hit the reset button and the Lakers get rid of Luol Deng. How could this be any better!?

With this trade, the Lakers are actually opening up more cap space; right around $4 million to be exact. That would give the team $65 million to add another superstar and whatever other bench pieces are needed. That is way more than LA needs; the team would likely still have around $15-20 million to spend after signing a star and extending Julius Randle.

It is just hard for me to see why any Laker fan would say no to this trade. The team gets the superstar they have been promised while adding flexibility to get another or even a third. LA would instantly be title contenders.

Not just that, the chances of Leonard extending with the Lakers would seemingly be high as he is from Los Angeles, after all. Sure, it would suck to see Brandon Ingram go, but at his very best (which is still years away) he will likely only mirror Kawhi Leonard. Leonard is an MVP candidate and probably will win one. How can you beat that?

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I really like this trade and if the Spurs were willing to make it happen I would pull the trigger in a heartbeat. I know some fans may disagree with that sentiment and that is just fine.

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