3. Magic and Pelinka make a trade deadline move
Looking at the past two seasons, the duo of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka have made some kind of a trade deadline move each year. They acquired a first-round pick for Lou Williams in 2016-2017 and moved Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. for Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye in 2017-2018.
For the first time in a while, the Lakers have an ample war chest of trade assets, with a litany of moveable one-year contracts, attractive young pieces, and all of their first-round picks going forward. This should give Magic and Pelinka more than enough ammunition to make a deadline move, big or small, should the right deal present itself.
Also, contrary to popular belief, the Lakers are not trying to ‘waste’ a year of LeBron in what many have deemed a ‘try-out year’. If the price is right, Magic and Pelinka will absolutely make a move to improve the roster.
Now whether or not that means simply trading for a center to shore up the big man rotation, or going all-in and trading for a disgruntled star player is hard to say, but when you have LeBron James on the roster, every year is a win-now year.
We’ve seen in the past how the NBA trade landscape can change in an instant and star players can suddenly become available. The front office has done everything in its power to prepare themselves for such an event, and when February rolls around, Laker fans should fully expect Magic and Pelinka to have their phones at the ready.