Los Angeles Lakers: Trade targets that would help LA’s weaknesses
By Jason Reed
![LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Garrett Temple #17 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles past Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 9, 2018 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Garrett Temple #17 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles past Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 9, 2018 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7baeffec11a13666be33b91576b74f41d51043254da77701ce9a26cf8556b601.jpg)
3. C Dewayne Dedmon — Atlanta Hawks
We jump from a guard back into a center because we are ranking these acquisitions by how big of an impact the player would have. We already went over why the Los Angeles Lakers need to add a center at some point and have now come across a better option in Dewayne Dedmon.
The goal for the Atlanta Hawks this season is pretty simple: lose as many games as possible to ensure a good draft pick and let Trae Young run the show and put up ridiculous garbage time numbers.
Thus, it is safe to say that the Hawks will be willing to trade away the expiring contracts on the team in order for something, even if it is relatively small, in return.
Dedmon is one of those expiring contracts and would be a huge improvement for the Lakers and could even fill in as starting center. Last year, Dedmon averaged 10 points and 7.9 rebounds and is yet to play a game this season.
The most important thing about Dedmon is his defense. Last season, Dedmon did not have a fantastic defensive season but was hurt by the talent around him. The year prior, when he was on the San Antonio Spurs, Dedmon had a defensive rating of 99.
That was the eighth-best defensive rating for centers that season. Of centers with 70 games played that in 2016-2017, Dedmon was second to only Aron Baynes.