1. The Los Angeles Lakers get Kemba Walker from Oklahoma City
We have touched on the possibility of the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Kemba Walker before but never with this spin of the Lakers moving up in the draft specifically for Corey Kispert. In this trade the Lakers pick up their third star, giving up some young assets and another established point guard in return.
The Boston Celtics essentially gave away Kemba Walker as the team was trying to get out of his contract. Walker has not been very healthy in his time in Boston and it was clear that he was not a great fit. This is the risk of this move. Can Walker stay healthy and provide the Lakers with what they need?
As a third scoring option with two dominant players in the frontcourt, I like his chances. Plus, LeBron James would be taking a lot of the facilitating and playmaking duties off Walker’s shoulders, which will help keep him healthy in the regular season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder could flip this trade for Walker into more assets. They would be trading away the pick Boston sent in the Walker trade to the Lakers but would still be getting a pick in return at 22. The prized possession of this trade that would convince them to do this would be Talen Horton-Tucker.
THT is established and is absolutely worth moving down six spots in the draft. I know that Laker fans do not want to see THT traded but the fact is that he is not untouchable. There is a chance he can leave as a restricted free agent and if the Lakers cannot afford him then they might as well trade him.
Dennis Schroder would return to OKC and would have to agree to a sign-and-trade for less than he wants with Kuzma and THT in the deal. He could still get a deal in the $15-20 million range, which is still probably more than he gets as an outright free agent.
OKC can then flip Schroder and/or Kuzma in the future for more assets while keeping the young asset of THT. THT, Kuzma, Schroder and the 22nd pick is a favorable return for Al Horford, especially for a rebuilding team.