Los Angeles Lakers: Three midseason trades to get rid of Luol Deng
By Jason Reed
This trade would be the best-case scenario for the Los Angeles Lakers of these three trades as the team would be getting rid of Deng as well as adding a huge much-needed piece that would make the team much more competitive this season.
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There is a fairly good chance that Kristaps Porzingis will not return until 2019 and there is also a chance that he could miss the entire 2018-2019 season. With that in mind, the Knicks could look to sell their expiring assets for something in return.
And while it would take a year of Deng to get it done, the team would also be bringing in a promising center in Ivica Zubac as well as two draft picks; one for next year’s draft and a second-round pick the following year.
As for the Lakers, the team would be adding a huge piece in Enes Kanter, who would serve as a great starting center for a team that desperately lacks size.
I also would not put it past the Lakers to trade for someone that LeBron has a history with considering the team had no problem signing Lance Stephenson this offseason.
The main thing that could throw a wrench in these plans is the possibility of Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler actually teaming up together on the Knicks after this season. That would create a big three of Irving, Butler and Porzingis, which could finally bring the Knicks back to the promised land.
If the team has any inclination that those rumors may have some reality then it will likely hold off on this deal. However, this deal would still be great for the Los Angeles Lakers.