1. Lakers nab Luke Kennard
This trade takes more than just Avery Bradley to complete. Luke Kennard is a good player, but the Detroit Pistons just haven’t been good in a very long time. If he becomes available he is the perfect target for the Lakers.
He can be the third option behind AD and LeBron and doesn’t have to play with the burden on his shoulders every night. That will help loosen up his game and playing winning basketball can boost a player’s morale.
Kennard can handle the basketball and score, he shot a line of 44.2/39.9/89.3 this past season averaging 15.6 points per game. He isn’t a very good defender at all, but he wouldn’t be asked to lock down any top players playing in Los Angeles.
The Pistons start to hit reset on their franchise outlook as the team looks for clarity going forward. They get Kyle Kuzma who needs a change of scenery and is a better defender and a 19-year-old Talen Horton-Tucker with high upside. They also get pick 28 to either draft a young player to play now or draft and stash.
Bradley becomes expendable and could be used in another deal at the deadline to get more draft assets. Kennard would be the number option if he becomes available and the Lakers need to pick up the phone immediately. Lakers also land a trade exception if Pelinka works it right.