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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 19, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center  (17) reacts to a call in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center  (17) reacts to a call in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Hibbert Goes To Boston

There’s not a trade that makes more sense given the Lakers’ current situation and expected plans for the future than going into dealings with their rivals in the Boston Celtics. The deal would send Roy Hibbert and Ryan Kelly to Boston in exchange for David Lee and a 2016 first-round pick. If you’re wondering why that’s a fantastic deal, I’m glad you asked.

For one, acquiring Lee for Hibbert as far as the Lakers are concerned makes sense in that it allows Los Angeles to still get a hefty contract off the books at the end of the season with Lee’s deal also expiring. Moreover, it opens the door for young players like Tarik Black to see more minutes. Plus, it comes at the expense of losing an albatross contract who largely hurts the on-floor product (Hibbert) and a player who hardly sees the floor, though he may have some potential (Kelly). This also comes with a first-round pick.

Next: 5 Things For Lakers Fans to Look Forward To in '16

This is where things get a bit tricky because it assumes two things about the Celtics and this trade. Though they have four first-rounders in the 2016 NBA Draft, they aren’t going to depart with them easily. However, they’re also a team in the market to improve their frontcourt by adding a true center. While DeMarcus Cousins would be their ideal target, that’s a role Hibbert could fill for at least the remainder of the 2015-16 season. The question is whether or not that’s worth one of four first-round picks to Boston. If it is, the Lakers would be foolish to not secure a first-rounder when their lottery pick is in danger of being moved.

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