5 Trades That Could Turn The Lakers Into Contenders

You’ll quickly notice that the Lakers best asset is Houston’s first round pick they acquired with Jeremy Lin this summer. For a team that rarely builds contenders through the draft like traditional teams, they very likely will dangle it out there on the trade market this winter.

Greg Monroe‘s time in Detroit is likely done. He signed the qualifying offer this summer, but many feel it’s inevitable he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer and leave the Motor City.

The Lakers could come in and get Monroe at a low price. For a first round pick and two young players in Ryan Kelly and Xavier Henry, the Pistons can at least get something instead of nothing for Monroe. Ryan Kelly gives Stan Van Gundy a shooter to put around Andre Drummond, which has been a goal of his. With Henry, they have a younger player who can get to the rim and doesn’t settle for jumpers like most of his teammates would.

Monroe would likely come to LA under the premise he signs an extension. If that’s the case, it finally gives LA a bridge to the future. Monroe certainly won’t be the next Bryant, but it would cement the Lakers front court with Julius Randle for many, many years to come, and it’s an intriguing idea to think of.