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

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 08: Malik Monk #1 of the Charlotte Hornets goes for a lay up during the second quarter during their game against the Dallas Mavericks at Spectrum Center on February 08, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 08: Malik Monk #1 of the Charlotte Hornets goes for a lay up during the second quarter during their game against the Dallas Mavericks at Spectrum Center on February 08, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers potential trade target: Ish Smith

The Washington Wizards are going to be one of the most interesting teams to watch play out during the 2020-21 season. John Wall is going to finally be back from injury and we have no idea if he is going to be the same player when he returns as he was when he got hurt.

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The last time we saw Wall on the basketball court was December of 2018 as he had to have season-ending heel surgery in December. Wall then ran into even more bad luck as he suffered an infection after the surgery and also tore his Achilles at his home.

In his absence, Bradley Beal has really blossomed into a solid number one option. It will be interesting to see if the Wizards are at all better with Wall and Beal both on the court, especially considering they are two of the highest-paid players in the league.

This opens the door for the team to trade from the depth in the backcourt and it would not be a bad idea for the team to shop veteran point guard Ish Smith as he only has one year left on his contract.

Smith would be a welcomed addition to the backcourt as he is absolutely capable of picking up the slack as the team’s second facilitator but is a good shooter that could play well off-ball as well.

The only hurdle for Smith is his $6 million contract, as that might force the Lakers to include Kyle Kuzma in a trade and Smith is not worth Kuzma. However, in a potential three-team scenario, Smith would be a great guy to bring to LA.

You could make the case for Bradley Beal and we have broken down what it would take for that to happen, but that just does not seem very realistic at this point in time.