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Lakers: 3 Trade Deadline Targets at Small Forward

By Christian Rivas

December 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thabo Sefolosha

Nov 30, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Hawks 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha (25) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Hawks 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Age: 32

Contract: Signed a three-year, $12 million deal in 2014 that expires in the summer of 2017. Average $3.8 million a year.

2016-17 Relevant Stats: 7.6 PTS, 4.3 REB, 1.6 AST, 1.7 STL, 0.5 BLK

The Lakers are a really bad defensive team, according to my sources (my sources are my eyes). While it shouldn’t be used as an excuse, the Lakers really don’t have any defensive specialists on their roster. The word “defensive potential” has been used to describe Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and even D’Angelo Russell.

One name they should look to trade for at the deadline is Atlanta Hawks’ Thabo Sefolosha. At 32 years old, Sefolosha isn’t going to lead the Lakers into the playoffs, but he could provide the Purple and Gold a little security on the defensive end.

Outside of Luol Deng and Brandon Ingram, the Lakers have zero depth on the wing unless you count Metta World Peace. You really shouldn’t, but to each his own I suppose.

Ingram and Deng are two of the better defenders on the team, but that’s not saying a whole lot considering their competition. They have also both struggled to keep that defensive intensity in late game situations; Deng because of his age and Ingram because of his inexperience.

Sefolosha could be the Lakers’ go-to guy on defense when the Lakers are matched up against some of the elite wings in the Western Conference like Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, and Gordon Hayward. His defensive box plus-minus (+3.1) is the highest it’s been in his career, as his steal percentage (3.2 percent).

Despite dealing Kyle Korver to Cavaliers earlier this month, the Hawks are still very much in the playoff picture. If they plan on making it past the first round, though, they’re going to need to do something about their bench.

It may come as a surprise to you, but Malcolm Delaney and Mike Muscula aren’t exactly getting it done for the Hawks. Adding Lou Williams to the mix would change their bench production virtually overnight.

Sending Williams and Marcelo Huertas for Sefolosha, Mike Scott and a protected first rounder would be a great deal for both teams.

The Hawks are currently projected to pick as low as No. 22 in the draft, so it’s not like they’d be parting with a top-10 pick. The Lakers would also get Sefolosha and Scott’s expiring contracts, opening up just over $7 million in cap space.

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