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Lakers: Pass or pursue 4 “realistic” trade targets to help LeBron James

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball guarded by Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat at Staples Center on February 20, 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball guarded by Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat at Staples Center on February 20, 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Should the Los Angeles Lakers pass or pursue Gordon Hayward:

The entire idea behind the Lakers potentially trading for Gordon Hayward would be the Charlotte Hornets wanting to move off of his two-year deal and instead take on the one-year deal of Russell Westbrook.

Marc Stein named the Hornets as a team to keep an eye on for a possible Westbrook trade this summer and if a deal were to happen it would certainly include Hayward. The Hornets do not take on Westbrook if they aren’t actively trying to get rid of Hayward.

While the Lakers would have two years’ worth of a cap hit to take on in Hayward, this would be a smart move for the team to make. Yes, there are injury concerns, but there is no guaranteed title window after the 2022-23 season with LeBron’s contract expiring and him only getting older.

The team put itself in a terrible situation with the Westbrook trade and if it can get out of it and get Hayward in the process then that is a no-brainer. He is the perfect third “star” to pair alongside LeBron and AD and would absolutely raise the team’s ceiling if he can stay healthy.

The Lakers cannot be picky and if the Hornets are willing to trade Hayward and Mason Plumlee for Westbrook and a future first then that might be the way to go. Charlotte has no reason to include Terry Rozier in that package and the Lakers won’t get much better.

Verdict: Pursue

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