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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players to target from the West’s worst teams

By Luca De Angelis

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 16: Jordan McLaughlin #6 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of the game at Target Center on February 16, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 112-104. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 16: Jordan McLaughlin #6 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of the game at Target Center on February 16, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 112-104. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

With the 2020-21 NBA trade deadline in eleven days, title contenders are looking for ways to put their roster over-the-top, while cellar dwellers are looking to sell current assets for future assets.

Since Anthony Davis’ injury, the Los Angeles Lakers still hold the third seed in the West despite a turbulent month and are looking to repeat as champions. Recently, there’s been plenty of talk in the blogosphere around which marquee player the Lakers will land, with Kristaps Porzingis and Andre Drummond the two most-frequently mentioned names.

However, a blockbuster move is improbable for the Los Angeles Lakers.

First and foremost, matching the salary of a star would require gutting the roster’s depth completely, something that the team can ill-afford to do with the numerous injuries that have already struck the roster.

The second reason why fans shouldn’t bank on a blockbuster trade is that the Lakers’ front office doesn’t have many desirable pieces that they are willing to move, nor do they have many coveted draft picks.

It’s far more likely that any move the Lakers make isn’t going to move heaven and earth. However, when healthy, the roster has enough top-end talent to be a contender. A third star isn’t necessary.

A move that’s far more likely, and one that’ll be more beneficial when factoring in opportunity cost, is a trade with a lottery team for a role player due to their preference for future assets such as draft picks rather than current contributors.

This article will delve into three role players the Lakers’ front office should target from the Western Conference’s worst teams.

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