Los Angeles Lakers: Five way-too-early midseason trade targets to watch

5. Derrick Favors

Of the five possible trade targets this one is easily the biggest and the most fun so I decided to save it for last. Not only is Derrick Favors the best player of these five but the Lakers have a chance to really get creative in trading for Favors, which would be fun for all parties to watch play out just from a pure basketball standpoint.

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In case you did not know, Derrick Favors is a member of the New Orleans Pelicans and he is currently slated to be the team’s starting center. While he is a big part of the team’s desire to win this year, he is also an expiring contract and the Pelicans will be savvy in getting something out of him at the deadline.

What makes Favors so fun in a pure basketball standpoint is the fact that he is so good on the pick and rolls and adding him to a pick and roll scheme that already includes LeBron James and Anthony Davis is going to be electric.

This also gives more depth at power forward, which potentially opens the door for LeBron to play the point and Kyle Kuzma to play the three. Favors can also provide depth at center when needed and if Howard does not pan out.

So how can they get creative with the trade? Well, they are going to have to send over some kind of contract to match Favors $17.7 million. They can send KCP, but they might need help from a third team.

Where the fun really begins is the Lakers can either essentially add to the Anthony Davis trade, perhaps by sending the Pelicans another second-round pick, but more importantly, could agree to take one of the protections off of their future picks.

For example, maybe instead of a pick swap in 2023, the Lakers agree to give up their pick regardless if it falls in the top-15. This would essentially mean that is the Lakers are bad that year then the Pelicans will get the pick free of charge. If it is 16-30 then the Pelicans could still switch positions if the Lakers present a better option.

Some small caveat like that only gives the Pelicans more ammunition and by adding a third team in this deal, New Orleans could end up getting some serious future value for half a year of Favors while the Lakers get someone that absolutely increases their chances of winning a title.