Maybe the Lakers have turned the corner. After back-to-back wins on the road, the Lakers may have flipped from a team that’s tanking to a team that can compete. Maybe Swaggy infected the Lakers. Maybe Kobe Bryant can drag the roster to a playoff appearance.
But really, this Lakers team still has too many flaws. They are still starting the one-man tanking machine Carlos Boozer. They are still starting the waste of potential Wesley Johnson. And they are still starting Mr. Inconsistency Jeremy Lin.
Which means come December 15 when most of the Lakers who signed contracts with the team this summer can be traded, aside from Jordan Hill who can’t be traded until January 15.
Which Lakers are most tradeable? Which ones are most likely to be traded? Let’s take an early look at the roster ranked on the tradeability of players. Yes, it’s a word I made up.
Of note, Carlos Boozer has been excluded as he can not be traded, a rule for any player claimed off amnesty waivers. Steve Nash and Julius Randle have been excluded as the odds of training an injured player are incredibly low, even if Nash has a big expiring contract. The Lakers have indicated they would like Nash around the team through his last year as a mentor.