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Los Angeles Lakers: Three things that must happen to win the title

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 123-113. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 123-113. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. The Los Angeles Lakers must add at the deadline

Despite signing LeBron James this past offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers are still in the mix to add another superstar next summer to complete the super team that Laker fans have been dreaming of the last few seasons.

With that in mind, the Lakers signed multiple veterans to one-year deals to ensure that the team would get depth off the bench while remaining flexible in cap space next summer.

Because of those moves and because of the results it had on the team, some may say that the Lakers are assuring that the team will not make any sort of trade this season. I would say that those people are incorrect.

While the Lakers did sign a slew of expiring deals, expiring deals are easier to part ways with and could become key in a trade, especially if the Lakers are getting an expiring contract in return. Out of all the possible scenarios, trading for Nikola Vucevic has emerged as my personal favorite move.

Vucevic is not a part of the Magic’s long-term plans with rookie Mohamed Bamba at center and the team would be better suited to get something out of him. Enter the Lakers, who need help at center, that can send an expiring deal, a young asset and a draft pick for half a season of Vucevic.

I really like a trade centered around Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Isaac Bonga, Ivica Zubac and a future second-round pick. The Lakers get a quality starting center and the Magic get something for a guy that likely would have walked away for free.

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