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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 potential trade packages for Montrezl Harrell

By Jason Reed

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 30: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers hangs from the basket after dunking the ball against the Boston Celtics vduring the fourth quarter at TD Garden on January 30, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lakers defeat the Celtics 96-95. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 30: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers hangs from the basket after dunking the ball against the Boston Celtics vduring the fourth quarter at TD Garden on January 30, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lakers defeat the Celtics 96-95. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers capitalize on the Portland Trail Blazers’ situation

The Portland Trail Blazers are not in a great position this offseason. After falling short in the playoffs yet again, there is legitimate worry that Damian Lillard may want out of Portland. While a definitive trade request has not yet been reported, we can all read the tea leaves to see that it is not a great situation out in Portland.

If Lillard does force his way out of Portland then the team should go full sell mode and trade any assets they have. It may not be great for ticket sales but the longer they draw it out and try to stay relevant without Lillard the worse it will be.

The Lakers could try and get in on the fun and target Jusuf Nurkic. The ceiling of Nurkic is far higher than that of Harrell’s and that is what the Lakers would be betting on. And while this seems like an unfair return for Portland, Nurkic’s value likely is not as much as most fans think.

There are two things to consider with Nurkic. The first is that he is under contract for only one more season, so whoever trades for him could be getting a one-year rental and it is not like he is some superstar.

The second reason is his injury history. Nurkic has not been able to stay healthy and that will keep teams that have limited draft capital from trading too much. The Lakers, meanwhile, do not have that many avenues to improve this offseason, so they should be willing to take that chance.

It is better than losing Harrell for nothing.

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