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NBA trade rumors: Players on the trade block the Lakers must avoid

By Jason Reed

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts following a call during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts following a call during the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) – NBA trade rumors
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) – NBA trade rumors /

3. Caris LeVert

The Indiana Pacers have struggled this season and are likely going to have a firesale at the NBA trade deadline. At this point, it would be more shocking if Caris LeVert was still in Indiana after the deadline than if he was with a different team. In fact, it has become more likely that LeVert will be dealt after Myles Turner suffered a stress fracture in his foot.

The problem is that Indiana is asking for at least two first-round picks in the trade for LeVert. While the Lakers can trade two picks (can trade the 2027 first-round pick as well as earlier pick swaps) it is not something the Lakers should do.

LeVert is a big name and it might seem like a quick fix to the Lakers’ problem if they trade Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, some expiring contracts and two first-round picks for him. The team is trying to win a title, right? Might as well go all in.

Not quite. While LeVert is a great player, he is simply too injury-prone and that is the last thing the Lakers need to trade two first-round picks for. The team is already dealing with injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis and LeVert would cause more of that headache.

Quite frankly, the Lakers would be better off trading picks to get off of Russell Westbrook’s contract rather than trading those picks for an injury-prone player who cannot guarantee he will be healthy in the playoffs.

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It would be a big splash, sure, but that splash would not result in anything but disappointment.

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