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2 uber-cheap defensive trade targets for the Los Angeles Lakers to add

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts from the sideline during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 19, 2021 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts from the sideline during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 19, 2021 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers have not gotten out to the start that the team, or the fans, were expecting and that will probably cause the team to be active during the season. Rob Pelinka has never been shy in trying to make improvements where he can and LeBron James-led teams are notorious for shuffling pieces around at the trade deadline.

That being said, the Lakers’ hands are tied and there are not many opportunities for the team to improve. The salary cap is very restricted because of Russell Westbrook’s contract. Pelinka does not have very many contracts to trade.

The most tradeable contract is Talen Horton-Tucker’s, which is worth just under $10 million. We broke down seven potential THT trade packages and whether or not the Lakers can do them but with his potential, the team might not be interested at all in moving him.

Plus, THT is arguably the team’s best perimeter defender and the last thing they need to do is trade away defense. The Lakers are one of the worst defensive teams in the league and they should be looking to add defense, not subtract it.

Luckily for the Los Angeles Lakers, there are cheap defensive trade targets available.

The Los Angeles Lakers are not going to get a defensive wizard that reinvents the wheel but they certainly can get someone for a cheap price that can make a positive impact. Alongside the contracts that the Lakers can trade, they also have a $2.7 million trade exception that they received by trading Marc Gasol. That will help.

There are two uber-cheap options that stand out the most as they will not cost much in assets nor require a big salary to be sent in return.

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