Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking down a potential trade for Nemanja Bjelica

By Jason Reed

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 10: Nemanja Bjelica #88 of the Sacramento Kings sets for a three-point shot during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 10, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 10: Nemanja Bjelica #88 of the Sacramento Kings sets for a three-point shot during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 10, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Why the Sacramento Kings may say yes to this Nemanja Bjelica trade:

Quite frankly, the biggest thing that could keep this trade from happening would be if the Sacramento Kings do not want to willingly help the Los Angeles Lakers improve. It sounds petty, but only four trades between these two teams have happened, with the last occurring in 1977.

Aside from that, the Kings do have a good reason to accept this trade from the Lakers. It may seem a bit cheap to a Kings fan but you have to consider what the Kings are trading.

The Kings are trading half a season of a player that, quite frankly, could realistically be bought out if it was not for the Lakers potentially wanting to guarantee him being in LA. Bjelica has a lot of potential (as talked about in my previous article) but he is not totally playing great this season.

This is a better return than it appears on the surface. The second-round pick is a good starting point and including Morris and McKinnie is important. While neither seems to offer anything new to the Kings, the Kings could flip those assets for more assets.

This would include looping more teams in the trade (for now, we are focused on just these two sides of the deal). The Kings would essentially be getting Morris and McKinnie and then flipping them for more future second-round picks to other teams that could use their services.

If they play their cards right, the Kings would be getting three second-round picks for Bjelica. That is not a bad price whatsoever.

Home/Lakers News