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Lakers: 3 Trade Deadline Targets at Shooting Guard

By Christian Rivas

Dec 20, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) stands on the court in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Lakers 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) stands on the court in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Lakers 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mario Hezonja

Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (8) against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (8) against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Age: 21

Contract: Singed a rookie-scale contract after being drafted No. 5 in the 2015 NBA Draft. Average $3 million a year, $11.7 million guaranteed over three years. Team options in 2017 and 2018.

2016-17 Relevant Stats: 3.4 PTS, 1.4 REB, 0.5 AST, 0.3 STL, 0.2 BLK

Remember Mario Hezonja? Selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Hezonja was supposed to be next European stud to take over the association. His elite athleticism and sweet shooting were made for the modern NBA game, or at least so we thought.

Despite his exuberant confidence in himself, Hezonja has yet to make an impact with the Orlando Magic and with each game, his No. 5 selection becomes less justified. He is in the bottom 10 in literally every statistical category among sophomores that play at least 9 minutes per game.

Hezonja has seen better days, but perhaps his best days are still ahead of him, those days just likely won’t be in Orlando.

The Magic committed big money to Evan Fournier this past summer, inking him to a five-year $85 million deal. Think that’s bad? I wouldn’t suggest looking at Bismack Biyombo’s contract or the money they’re going to pay to keep Serge Ibaka this summer.

There are also rumors that Orlando is eyeing Miami’s Goran Dragic to improve their team, taking even more playing time from the already rarely used Hezonja. He needs a new home, and Los Angeles is nice this time of year.

A trade for Hezonja won’t push the needle this season. In fact, it would probably make the team worse, which is good for all the fans that want to see UCLA’s Lonzo Ball in the Purple and Gold next season.

A straight Nick Young for Hezonja swap should get the deal done, but the Magic would need some assurance that Young would re-sign when he inevitably opts out of his contract at the end of the season. If Orlando preferred Lou Williams in this scenario, they would likely have to give a little more.

For the Lakers, this trade would be a potential low risk, high reward move. Orlando would continue their quest to trade their young players for players over 30.

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