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Lakers Rumors: Potential third teams in Lakers-Pelicans trade

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans is defended by Kyle Kuzma #0, Lonzo Ball #2 and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 112-104 Laker win at Staples Center on December 21, 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans is defended by Kyle Kuzma #0, Lonzo Ball #2 and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 112-104 Laker win at Staples Center on December 21, 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Rumors
(Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Rumors /

3. Orlando Magic

This trade is very, very similar to the trade with the Detroit Pistons as the New Orleans Pelicans would be acquiring an established star, allowing the Lakers to keep Kyle Kuzma on the roster instead of sending him off to New Orleans.

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However, this one is different though as the trade involves Nikola Vucevic, who has emerged as a bonafide all-star this season but is also on an expiring contract. This trade would have to be agreed upon on the precedent that Vucevic will sign an extension in New Orleans. If not, it obviously is not worth it.

In this deal, the Pelicans would be receiving an all-star (or should be) in Vucevic, a young franchise piece in Brandon Ingram and a quality young three and D shooting guard to play alongside Holiday in Josh Hart.

Meanwhile, the Magic would be absolutely scoring on this deal and would be flipping half a season of Vucevic essentially for Lonzo Ball and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Both teams should also send a first-round pick to New Orleans (Lakers in 2019, Magic in 2020).

The Lakers would also be getting Terrence Ross in this deal alongside Davis to play the two after trading away both Hart and KCP. Ross is on an expiring deal and is averaging 13.9 points on 43.2 percent shooting this season.

Would the Pelicans sacrifice getting Ball to get a guy that they theoretically could just sign in the offseason? Maybe not. However, getting a guaranteed extension would be big for the Pelicans and would allow the team to get someone like Vucevic instead of merely getting a dump like KCP.

Next. Can the Lakers land Kyrie in the offseason?. dark

New Orleans can select a young guard with their new surplus of draft picks. I’d sacrifice Ball, who were are not even entirely sure can stay healthy, to get an established star alongside two young pieces.

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