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Lakers: 3 Trade Scenarios to Help the Lakers’ Playoff Push

By Christian Rivas

Oct 28, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The Los Angeles Lakers bench is clearly disappointed with the score late in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 96-89. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The Los Angeles Lakers bench is clearly disappointed with the score late in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 96-89. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) at the foul line against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) at the foul line against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

This is probably the least blockbuster type trade on the list, but it arguably helps the Lakers the most. Luol Deng hasn’t been great after signing a huge four-year, $72 million contract with the Purple and Gold this summer.

Finding a team willing to take on the $18 million he is due every year for the next few years will be tough, but not as impossible as some might think, according to Bleacher Report’s Rich Bucher:

"Tom Thibodeau is not exactly a paragon of patience, which is why league sources expect that he is only a few more losses away from dealing one of his young stars for a veteran who can help him win now. His first look will be for a player he already knows and trusts because he’s already had that player in his system. Would the Lakers consider advancing their youth movement and dealing former Bull Luol Deng? Would the Bulls consider parting with Jimmy Butler or Taj Gibson? Where Thibs looks is not certain, nor is who he’d be willing to move. But those in the league who know his hunger to win and win now are convinced he will begin calling around soon, if he hasn’t already."

And so Lakers’ Twitter was engulfed in flames.

“Deng for Zach LaVine!”

“Deng for Kris Dunn and Andrew Wiggins!”

For every one sane Lakers fan, there are a million insane Lakers fans. While he is fan of his vets, there is no way Thibs pulls the trigger on a trade involving one of the Timberwolves’ pups.

However, if the Timberwolves are serious about engaging in trade talks for Deng, the Lakers should inquire about Shabazz Muhammad. Coming into his fourth year of his NBA career, the former UCLA product and Southern California native has yet to find his niche, but at 24 he still has a ton of room to grow.

The Lakers can’t just dump Deng’s contract without getting a bad contract back. Pekovic’s contract would be the one bad thing about this trade.

Thibs would get his veteran presence on the team and a good fit next to Karl-Anthony Towns at the four.

The Lakers would get a young player on an expiring contract and some legitimate size off the bench. It’s also one of the few trades that the Lakers could potentially pull of without give up Lou Williams.

It would be Flynn-Flynn situation for both teams.

Next: Lou Will's record breaking season

Do the Lakers need to make a trade to make the playoffs this season? Should they stand pat at the trade deadline? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on Twitter (@TheLakeShowLife).

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