Los Angeles Lakers: 1 potential trade target from each non-playoff team
By Jason Reed
Charlotte Hornets: Devonte’ Graham
The Charlotte Hornets are one of the most intriguing young teams in the league and that is all because of LaMelo Ball. I am a huge Lonzo fan, but it is undeniable that LaMelo was better coming into the league and his ceiling is now substantially higher than his brother’s.
That being said, LaMelo does create a bit of a logjam at the point guard position. The Hornets have LaMelo and Terry Rozier at the position and while Malik Monk is a free agent this offseason, he is a two-guard and the Hornets will likely bring him back.
It would not be totally shocking to see the Hornets trade from an area of strength and shop around Devonte’ Graham on the open market. While the Lakers admittedly may not have the best offer for Graham, if they can make it work, it would be a positive.
Graham’s value may not even be that high as he is a one-way player that struggles to play defense with one year left on his deal. Most contending teams don’t go for the one-way scorers off the bench, or at least are not willing to pay a surplus for them.
Graham would add a nice scoring presence for the Lakers as an off-ball threat that would likely start in the starting five. He is not a point guard who demands the basketball and gives the Lakers that Avery Bradley-esque guard to start while LeBron is the de facto point guard.
The Los Angeles Lakers would still need to add another playmaker to put on the bench, though.