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Los Angeles Lakers: Why a trade should not be made until next offseason

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: (L-R) Earvin 'Magic' Johnson addresses the crowd before Kobe Bryant has his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys retired at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: (L-R) Earvin 'Magic' Johnson addresses the crowd before Kobe Bryant has his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys retired at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Waiting will open more doors

Right now, there aren’t too many trades that really should excite the Los Angeles Lakers while also fulfilling a need this season as well as moving forward. Of course, if some team is willing to take a terrible package that is one thing, but realistically, there is no real move to make, at least not yet or in the foreseeable future.

While we love the idea of trading for Damian Lillard or Anthony Davis, the chances of that happening soon or slim and a certain set of circumstances must happen by midseason to get that deal done.

If the Lakers let an entire season pan out, those teams will be looking to the following seasons and may realize that the window to get the most out of the tradeable assets is shrinking.

Right now, the only conceivable trade target I could see happening is Jimmy Butler and that may not even be worth the asking price. Butler can opt out of his deal following this season, making it pointless to trade a young asset like Brandon Ingram when the Lakers can simply wait.

Plus, the Lakers need to wait and see what plays out with the Golden State Warriors. The team is set next season and Butler may not be enough to put LA over the hump. However, next offseason, there is a chance that Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins could all walk, especially if they win another championship.

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