Who are the Best Trade Deadline Solutions?
Ideally, the Lakers would likely want Andre Iguodala, who can defend three or four positions and provides championship experience as a key cog for the Golden State Warriors teams that won three of the last five NBA titles.
At 35 years old, Iguodala doesn’t need starter minutes. He hasn’t played a game for the Memphis Grizzlies as the two sides remain at odds, though, his team would prefer to trade him rather than negotiate a buyout, per Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
“We’re not buying him out,” a front-office executive from the Grizzlies said. “We will trade him, period.”
If the Lakers pry Iguodala from Memphis, he’d arrive in Los Angeles well-rested—likely in a role that mirrored his days in Golden State. He’d come off the bench to help direct traffic and bolster the second-unit defense.
Pelinka should inquire about Marcus Morris. Although the ninth-year veteran expressed his desire to stay in New York, after spurning the San Antonio Spurs last summer, the Lakers can attempt to rent him for the remainder of the year to bolster their rotation at the forward positions.
Suiting up for the New York Knicks, Morris has put together his best season, averaging 19.1 points per game as the team’s top scorer. He’s also become a leader in a young locker room.
With Morris’ toughness, ability to add extra points at the free-throw line (3.8 makes per contest) at a high percentage (82 percent) and 3-point shooting range, he’s a good fit for a team that doesn’t have high-end two-way players aside from James and Davis.
The 30-year-old can guard 4s in small lineups, 3s and some 2s, which allows the Lakers more flexibility on defensive switches.