Los Angeles Lakers: 1 potential trade target from each non-playoff team

By Jason Reed | Jul 3, 2021

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 12: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs leads the offense in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on May 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.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 Elsa/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Oklahoma City Thunder just shortly after the Celtics were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs. Walker’s contract was really restricting for the Celtics and with concerns about his knees, it made sense for the team to find a better fit elsewhere.

That better fit was former Celtic Al Horford, who also is not on the friendliest of deals but does give the Celtics more financial flexibility in the future. Walker was a potential fit for the Lakers while he was in Boston and him being traded to the Thunder does not change that.

The Thunder are going to look to get whatever assets they can out of Walker. That could mean that they will let Walker play out a season in OKC, naturally increase his value like Chris Paul and Al Horford did, and then trade him for more this offseason.

Or they could flip him this summer and if so the Lakers are one of the teams in a situation to take a risk on Walker and hope that his knees hold up. His value is not as high as it could be, meaning that a sign-and-trade deal with Dennis Schroder that includes Kyle Kuzma may be enough.

Walker would be the true third star on the Lakers and it would not be totally surprising to see the Lakers take a risk like this.

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