Los Angeles Lakers: An offseason trade target from each Atlantic team

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks talks to head coach Mike Miller during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. 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. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks talks to head coach Mike Miller during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. 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. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers’ potential trade target: Kyle O’Quinn

This is probably the least exciting out of the potential trade targets from the Atlantic Division but it is the only player that really makes sense for the 76ers to be willing to trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. You could make the case that the team could shop Al Horford as that fit has been terrible, but there is no way that the Lakers take on that kind of contract.

Thus, we have to skim all the way to the bottom of the rotation and look at Kyle O’Quinn. Stylistically, he would fit on the Lakers but the Lakers ever trading for someone such as O’Quinn could be the definition of a last-ditch effort by the team.

The only way that the Lakers would trade for a center such as O’Quinn would be if Dwight Howard decides not to return to the Lakers and the team cannot bring back DeMarcus Cousins or bring in any other depth centers. Then O’Quinn makes sense.

His numbers are not great but he is also not getting a lot of playtime. Despite the numbers, he could absolutely fit into the Lakers’ scheme and do what the team is asking of him.

He would come off the bench and essentially serve as a rebounder and shot-blocker with some occasional scoring — the exact same thing that the team asks of Howard and McGee.

O’Quinn is averaging 0.1 fewer rebounds and 0.8 more blocks per 36 minutes than Howard this season.