Los Angeles Lakers: 4 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 31: Lonzo Ball #2 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during the game against the Detroit Pistons on October 31, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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2. Lonzo Ball

If the Lakers are going to make a big splash, they will have to part with some assets. While they may try using future draft picks as the centerpiece, some teams may prefer a young player. The likeliest of the Lakers young core to be moved is Lonzo Ball.

This doesn’t mean that the Lakers are shopping Ball. However, based on rumors that have swirled around trade talks, Ball seems to be the one the Lakers are most willing to part with.

Brandon Ingram has been held out of trade talks for two offseasons, and Kyle Kuzma was off the table as well. Josh Hart is unlikely to be enough as a centerpiece, leaving Lonzo as the enticing piece.

Ball is immensely talented, as he has already shown he is an elite playmaker. His defense is better than advertised, as he stuffed the stat sheet in his rookie season. If he improves his shooting percentages, he could really take off.

However, he has some knocks against him because of his outspoken father, LaVar Ball, and his injury history. It could be a circus that the Lakers are willing to part with should the right deal be on the table.

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