Los Angeles Lakers: 1 summer trade target from each lottery team
By Jason Reed
Orlando Magic: Markelle Fultz
It was not the intention to make this list all point guards thus far but here we are with Markelle Fultz and the Orlando Magic. Outside of the potential Knicks trade that would get Westbrook out of LA, this is perhaps the most intriguing trade the Lakers could make.
This would be a deal that the team would have to make if they can either trade Westbrook or outright buy him out so he is not on the roster next season. If the Lakers are trading for Fultz and taking the chance on the former first-overall pick then they need to give him a runway to actually play.
The Magic took a chance on Fultz after a horrible start to his career and he has been fine for the Magic but has not been close to being worth a first-round pick. He is certainly dispensable for Orlando, especially with Cole Anthony AND Jalen Suggs.
In fact, you could make the case that the Magic will be outright shopping Fultz this offseason and the Lakers are exactly the kind of team they should be calling. LA needs to take risks to try and find talent and this would be one.
The package for Fultz would likely have to be Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and a future heavily protected first-round pick. That is great value for a team that has point guard depth and was just taking a flier on Fultz to begin with.
Fultz is under contract for two more years at $16.5 million and will be 24 next season. While his career has not panned out thus far, he has shown flashes of being great and perhaps the Lakers could unlock that.