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Lakers: 5 Trades Team Should Make This Season

By Cody Williams

Dec 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) celebrates with guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and forward Nick Young (0) during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) celebrates with guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and forward Nick Young (0) during the second half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo (3) dribbles the ball down court against Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo (3) dribbles the ball down court against Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5 A Cold Glass of O.J.’s Expiring Contract

When you think about the possibility of the Lakers trading Lou Williams this season, the first thing that you think of doing probably isn’t trading him for a player who is essentially a lesser version of him. However, that’s what current Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo essentially is in terms of his off-the-bench scoring role and lack of many other contributions. Even still, a one-for-one swap would make sense for both the Lakers and the Bucks.

For Milwaukee, they would get a player in Williams that actually makes sense in terms of their roster. One of the biggest knocks on the Lou signing for the Lakers is the fact that he doesn’t make sense as a piece of a rebuilding team. He’s a luxury as a scorer and playmaker on a playoff team, not a team like the Lakers. Putting him in Milwaukee would put him in that more natural role.

What’s important for the Lakers is that Mayo’s contract is expiring and will give them $7 million more to operate with in 2016 free agency. Considering that will bump them up from roughly $63 million in cap-room to $70 million, that sounds fantastic for a team trying to rebuild and reload with weapons for the future—and a lot better than paying Lou $7 million until 2018.

Next: No. 4 Acquiring A Twin

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