4. Cavaliers trade Dion Waiters and #33 pick for #7 pick
This trade is one the few that hasn’t been rumored, but intriguing nevertheless. The two teams were engaged in trade talks involving Pau Gasol near the trade deadline. However, no deal was made and the Lakers held on to Gasol and finished out the season. Now, the Lakers have an asset of their own and could reopen talks with a Cavaliers side that will be looking to lure in LeBron this off-season.
What would be more intriguing for LeBron than Kyrie Irving, the #1 draft pick (say Jabari Parker) and the #7 draft pick (say Marcus Smart)? That’s a hell of a foundation and a hell of a lineup. Irving-Smart-Parker-James-Varejao is certainly a playoff team now and in the future.
For the Lakers, Waiters offers another instant impact player similar to MCW. They also get the chance to add another quality player later in the draft. There’s a possibility the Lakers could throw in Nash to clear out cap space, which would also put them in the driver’s seat for James this off-season.
Attractiveness – 7/10
Likelihood – 5/10