5 Players Still on the Trade Block the Lakers Should Target
By Cem Yolbulan
Trae Young
Another unlikely but possible trade target for the Lakers is Atlanta's All-Star point guard Trae Young. The Hawks already traded away Dejounte Murray and kickstarted their rebuild. They are reportedly open to more trades and they don't have a reason to hold on to Young since they aren't going anywhere any time soon.
Do the Lakers have enough assets to land Young?
If they were willing to give both of their first-round picks, Knecht, Hachimura, and Russell, the Hawks could potentially be interested.
Young would be the offensive engine the Lakers need next to LeBron and Davis. His pick-and-roll game with AD would be lethal and Davis could easily cover up for Young's defensive shortcomings. He is probably the best player the Lakers could realistically trade for and it would behoove them to try.
Cam Johnson
A player who wouldn't be as difficult to trade for would be the Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson. The Nets have also begun their rebuild by moving on from Mikal Bridges and Johnson is the next natural candidate to be traded.
Johnson has a good combination of size and shooting. He has been one of the most consistently accurate three-point shooters in the league. At 6'8, he can play both forward positions, shoot above anybody, and provide versatility on the defensive end.
He is not the most dynamic or athletic player, and he has some defensive shortcomings but he is an excellent fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Putting a shooter of his caliber under JJ Redick's wings would likely produce positive results for the Lakers.
More Lakers news and rumors:
feed