Pass or pursue on proposed Los Angeles Lakers trade targets

November 29, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka watches practice at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 29, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka watches practice at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers should heavily pursue Kenrich Williams

Kenrich Williams would be a dream target for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, just about every contending team could use a player like Williams in its rotation so his market might be too dense and the Lakers could end up missing out on him.

However, that does not mean that the Lakers should stop themselves from pursuing him in a trade as trading for him would be great business. Williams not only can add shooting next to LeBron James, but he is also an above-average defender.

Adding Williams gives the Los Angeles Lakers more lineup flexibility and helps the team play Anthony Davis at the five. Williams would essentially be Kyle Kuzma in this rotation but would be a better version of Kuzma. Davis can play the five with LeBron and Williams in the front court with Russell Westbrook and Stanley Johnson in the backcourt.

That is suddenly a five-man rotation that has four players who can play above-average defense. As much of a liability Westbrook is in crunch time, if LeBron can truly convince him to play off ball then his defensive woes might not be as bad with these five around him.

Williams is only making $2 million this season so the Lakers would not have to trade much contracts in return. The Lakers do have a trade exception as well and if they have to, I would not be completely surprised if they are willing to trade a future protected first for Williams straight up.