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Los Angeles Lakers: Three early potential trade targets at the deadline

By Jason Reed

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 08: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans complains about a call to Ed Malloy during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 8, 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 - MAY 08: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans complains about a call to Ed Malloy during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 8, 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) /
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(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Kawhi Leonard

Trading for Kawhi Leonard now that he is a Toronto Raptor makes more sense for the Los Angeles Lakers than it did when Leonard was a Spur. And while this probably won’t happen right away, come the trade deadline, the Raptors may realize it is time to blow it up and rebuild.

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Leonard is a last-ditch effort for the Raptors to make the NBA Finals during the window that involves Kyle Lowry. The front office likely realized that the team was not going to get it done with just DeMar DeRozan and Lowry and instead opted for a hail mary in Leonard.

However, there is a very likely chance that this does not work out and the Raptors are looking to trade Leonard by mid-season. This not only gives the team an easier chance to rip the band-aid off and rebuild, Leonard is worth more on a trade return and would warrant a bigger package than DeRozan.

With the understanding that Leonard would, in fact, sign an extension, the Lakers can send the Raptors the pick oriented package that the Spurs would not take. Gregg Popovich did not want to rebuild, hence why the team traded for DeRozan. He also did not want to trade Leonard to a Western Conference team.

However, the Raptors likely have no problem sending Leonard to LA to get some young in return. If Leonard is going to sign an extension, I would be okay with sending Brandon Ingram, Luol Deng and two to three draft picks for Leonard.

Sure, sending that many draft picks is scary, but this team already has a good amount of youth and does not need to add more youth to the equation.

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Ultimately, this would only happen if Leonard returns to the basketball court and plays like a top-five player in the league. If so, it would be extremely smart for the Los Angeles Lakers to trade for Leonard and continue to add pieces next offseason to create a true juggernaut.

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