Los Angeles Lakers: Plan B trade options if LA doesn’t land Anthony Davis
By Jason Reed
1. Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard was somewhat tied to the Los Angeles Lakers last offseason after the team landed LeBron James. There were many within the basketball world that thought the Portland Trailblazers might shop Lillard if the team was not playing up to standards by the NBA Trade Deadline.
Portland is playing about as good as they could play and they have the firepower to make some noise in the NBA Playoffs. However, if the team makes it to the second or third round only to get swept by the Golden State Warriors, Lillard and the Blazers might realize that it could be time to move on.
A lot has to happen for this to be the case but a lot had to happen for Anthony Davis to demand a trade out of New Orleans as well. That is why this is a plan B scenario, after all.
The good thing about adding Lillard is the Los Angeles Lakers would not have to send three pieces of the young core to make it happen. A package consisting of Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram should be enough.
The biggest hurdle would be making this trade work financially. The Lakers would still need to add around $7 million in salary to make this trade possible, which could mean a third team joining the deal.
Or the team could do a sign and trade with one of the unrestricted free agents on the team. Perhaps Portland would be interested in taking in Rajon Rondo or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a $7 million contract.