Los Angeles Lakers: 1 summer trade target from each lottery team

By Jason Reed | Mar 20, 2022

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 12: Kenrich Williams #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on February 12, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

4 of 10

(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Indiana Pacers: T.J. McConnell

The Indiana Pacers went on a bit of a flash sale this season so a lot of the role players that they could have traded in the summer have already been dealt. Those that did not get traded are on expiring deals.

Indiana still has Myles Turner to trade but the Lakers don’t have enough to put together a fair package for Turner and the Pacers are not going to trade the young players they received in the Domantas Sabonis deal. Thus, the Lakers would have to target a role player like T.J. McConnell.

McConnell is under contract for three more seasons after this season, although the last year of his deal is only partially guaranteed. The 29-year-old guard comes at a great price as well as he is making under $10 million a season.

If the Lakers wanted to trade for McConnell they would probably have to package Talen Horton-Tucker with some future second-round picks. McConnell is a fine role player in this league but he does not really have a ceiling, whereas the potential is still there for THT.

This would be a case of the Lakers punting on THT’s potential and flipping that for a serviceable role player in McConnell. This is where THT’s value is at as an asset. While McConnell is not a great shooter (like THT!) he is a solid defensive point guard who would be serviceable behind Westbrook.

Home/Lakers News