LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Potential centers to trade the fourth pick for

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center on April 07, 2019 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 Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center on April 07, 2019 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 Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Mohamed Bamba

This potential trade is interesting on two levels. First of all, with youth already on the roster, the Los Angeles Lakers might not be looking to add another young player to the ranks. Second of all, the Orlando Magic drafted Mohamed Bamba with the sixth overall pick in last year’s draft.

More from LA Sports Hub

This kind of trade does not happen frequently in the NBA as teams do not give up on young talent so quickly, especially talent like Bamba. Bamba was one of the most touted prospects entering the draft because of his size and wingspan and it would be strange to see the Magic trade him so soon.

He might not have been great his rookie season but it is just his rookie year, he will get better. So why would the Magic trade him? Because Nikola Vucevic had a breakout all-star season, is just entering his prime, and this trade would make sense for the Magic.

The Magic would essentially be trading a high selection from last year and moving up two spots in this draft, which would not hurt the future of the team. With Vucevic on the roster, if the team re-signs him of course, the need for Mamba is significantly less.

On the Lakers side of things, it would be worth it to trade for Bamba if the team expects him to progress quickly alongside LeBron James. He certainly has the size and is talented enough to be a big role player and he could make those leaps with James, who seems to make every center look better.

dark. Next. Emergency options that nobody wants to see

It would not cost the Lakers a significant portion of the salary cap and would not restrict the future, it actually would help it.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers