3. Poaching Danilo Gallinari from the Spurs
In a perfect world, the Los Angeles Lakers would be able to simply sign Danilo Gallinari after he gets bought out by the San Antonio Spurs. However, there is a reality in which the Spurs drag their feet with buying Gallinari out and instead look to get something for him in a trade.
That is exactly what the team did last year with Thaddeus Young. Young was a buyout candidate as soon as he was traded to San Antonio but the Spurs kept him around. It paid off as the Spurs were able to trade Young to the Toronto Raptors in a deal centered around Goran Dragic. The Spurs ended up getting the Raptors’ first-round pick (20th overall) while sending Detroit’s second (33rd overall).
It would be better for the Lakers to simply wait and try and get Gallinari on the buyout market. This trade might be a bit rich for the team as they would be trading depth to the Spurs for just one player who also makes over $20 million.
That being said, if the Lakers are not confident in THT turning into a role player and don’t think Kendrick Nunn will be impactful then it makes sense to package them for an improvement. Stanley Johnson is an unfortunate addition that simply would have to be done for monetary reasons.
While it might be a bit rich, it is hard to deny Gallinari’s fit on this team. He is the perfect stretch four to add to help space the floor and allow AD to play the five. The Lakers have serious floor-spacing issues and this would at least help a bit and give the Lakers a clearer closing five.
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Hopefully, the Spurs keep Gallo, can’t find a trade partner for him and end up buying him out. But don’t be shocked if the Lakers get desperate, they have before.