LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Why a Karl-Anthony Towns trade should happen

By Jason Reed

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves sits on the bench before their game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 25, 2018 in Oakland, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves sits on the bench before their game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 25, 2018 in Oakland, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Karl-Anthony Towns has a relatively cheap contract the next two seasons

The biggest agenda the Los Angeles Lakers had leading into this summer was freeing up contract space in order to bring in stars. Thus, the team utilized the trade market as well as signing free agents to one-year deals in order to open up $61 million in practical cap space this summer.

However, the Lakers did not completely finish the task as the contract of Luol Deng is still on the books. Deng’s $36.1 million owed over the next two seasons is arguably the worst contract in the NBA and restricts the Lakers from having the complete flexibility they may have wanted this summer.

While the team does have enough to sign one max player and another player slightly under the max, this would tie the team’s hands in potentially re-signing Julius Randle or bringing in any sort of depth pieces. As great as signing two stars would be, the Lakers would need at least two more guys to add to the rotation off the bench.

Thus, Towns becomes the best of both worlds situations. Not only is he one of the best centers in the entire league, he is only owed $18 million over the next two seasons before becoming a restricted free agent.

By the time that rolls around, Deng will be off the books (or potentially traded as his contract becomes shorter with time) so the Lakes will have the cap space to re-sign Towns if needed to keep the super team intact.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers