5. Detroit
Dec 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) wears a t-shirt during warm ups before the game against the Sacramento Kings to show support for the family of Eric Garner at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The final scenario again falls along the lines of the Lakers being buyers rather than sellers at the trade deadline. Like Brooklyn, Detroit has put their stars on the trade block, namely Josh Smith, Greg Monroe and Brandon Jennings. The first is a huge cap hit for very limited return, while the last is a far more affordable and productive, and the middle one will be a free agent this summer.
The Lakers could swap Lin-for-Jennings and have it work financially, but they won’t because of the obvious talent difference. However, Lin plus a 1st round pick could get them listening, with the big factor the financial flexibility the Lakers can offer. Similarly, if for some reason the Lakers were interested in Smith, the Lakers can offer seemingly immediate cap relief, which would lower the price for Smith.
However, the most intriguing prospect is Monroe. The young big man has become the odd man out in Detroit between he, Smith, and Andre Drummond. While he has a unique skill set as a versatile big man, he likely would not mesh well with Randle in the future. Futhermore, the Lakers could trade for him this year and still have him walk away in the summer during free agency.
Lin would go to a Detroit squad with a solid coach and would see lots of minutes, but what he’d do with those minutes remains to be unseen.