Los Angeles Lakers: 3 teams that could trade for Marc Gasol

By Jason Reed | Sep 9, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 aImages License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Milwuakee Bucks

Non-guaranteed contract: Mamadi Diakite

The Milwaukee Bucks have several non-guaranteed contracts that the Los Angeles Lakers could target but Mamadi Diakite makes sense for two reasons. First, Diakite is a center and it is a more natural swap for the Bucks to trade the non-impactful center for a veteran who can play.

Second, Diakite is only guaranteed $100,000, so the Lakers would be saving even more money against the tax. With how much the team is being taxed this season all the possible savings will add up.

Despite having Diakite on the roster, the Bucks are extremely thin at the center position. The team really only has one true center in Brook Lopez as the current backup center for the team is Bobby Portis, who is not a center.

It is less of an issue for the Bucks considering Giannis Antetokounmpo can essentially operate as the point-center but the lack of depth could still hurt the team. We have seen before that the Bucks value veterans who can help space the floor and keep the lane clean for Giannis, which Gasol would do.

Most importantly, Gasol is very similar to Brook Lopez. That kind of consistency at the position makes it easier for the Bucks to build a rotation and play off of both centers.

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