Los Angeles Lakers: Why a trade should not be made until next offseason
By Jason Reed
2. It allows the Los Angeles Lakers to assess the young core and its trade value
Right now, if the Los Angeles Lakers were looking to make a trade either before the season or during the season, it would inevitably have to include Brandon Ingram. Ingram is the young star with the most trade value entering the season and may be the easiest to replace with the current roster.
However, the problem with trading Ingram now or at midseason is that his trade value may not reach what it is actually worth if the Los Angeles Lakers let him play a full season to showcase his progressions.
If Ingram excels for an entire season or has a late-year push where he looks elite, like Julius Randle last season, his trade value could skyrocket and he alone may be enough to package alongside Deng and some picks to land someone like Davis.
If not Ingram, the rest of the young Lakers core will progress and could up their trade value. Perhaps the team can convince the Trail Blazers to send Damian Lillard for a package headlined by Lonzo Ball or Josh Hart plays so well that the Lakers can get an overpriced return for him.
Regardless, each young player has the chance to become a much more valuable trade commodity and will also showcase how they play alongside LeBron James. Perhaps Ingram, Ball, Hart or even Kyle Kuzma excel but never look like a natural fit with LeBron.
If that is the case, it makes it easier for the front office to pull the trigger on trading one of the young assets for a superstar who might be a better fit.