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Los Angeles Lakers: Two players LA can land by trading Lonzo Ball

By Jason Reed

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 24: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 24, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 131-113. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker is having an insane season in which he is a legitimate dark horse MVP candidate. While there is still a lot of the season left to play, Walker has been one of the best players in the league a quarter of the way through and has taken a huge step up in a contract year.

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Walker is averaging 26.5 points, 6.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 44.2 percent from the floor and 36.2 percent from beyond the arc. While his numbers wouldn’t be as good alongside LeBron James, he has proven that he can be the second-best player on a title-contending team.

So, why would the Charlotte Hornets want to part ways with the team’s best player, who has emerged as a bonafide all-star this year? It is simple: he is on an expiring contract.

The NBA has really become a league driven by the players and Kemba Walker has the power to go to the Hornets, inform the team that he has no interest in re-signing and would be putting the ball in their court. The Hornets could either deal Walker for something or let him walk for nothing.

If the team was a legitimate title-contender then you would want to hold onto Walker. However, despite his great season, the Hornets are still just 11-12.

Trading for Walker would make sense for the Lakers as his contract is doable, the Lakers would just need to send Ball, KCP and an unprotected pick, and the team would be inheriting his Bird Rights.

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That means the Lakers could theoretically trade for Anthony Davis or sign Kevin Durant next summer and then sign Walker over the salary cap because of his Bird Rights. This would be a way to get two stars instead of one and it can be done with Ball.

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