
Washington Wizards that the Los Angeles Lakers could trade for: 1. Robin Lopez
It is well-noted that the Los Angeles Lakers have a need at the center position. Marc Gasol has been fine defensively, has some really solid advanced metrics and is likely to step up his play in the regular season.
However, the truth still remains that Gasol is not doing much on the offensive end and the team does not have any true center depth behind him. Just imagine if Gaso gets in early foul trouble in a playoff game against Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid? That would be a disaster.
The Lakers need depth at the position and need that second traditional center that can make Gasol’s life easier in the regular season and give the team that “just in case” depth in the playoffs. Luckily for LA, the Wizards have just the player in Robin Lopez.
Lopez is not going to blow anyone away but he can be just as good for the Lakers this season as JaVale McGee was for the team last season. Lopez is averaging 14.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per 36 minutes this season. McGee averaged 14.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per 36 minutes last season.
The one tricky thing with Lopez is his contract. He is on an expiring deal, which is why the Wizards should get whatever they can out of him, which is worth $7 million. That could be hard for LA to make worth financially, but it is possible.
The Lakers could send Jared Dudley, Alfonzo McKinnie and elevate Devontae Cacok in the trade to get the salaries right where they need to be. And quite frankly, that alone is probably enough for Lopez as the Wizards would be getting potential in Cacok.