3-point specialists that the Lakers can trade for before the season begins

By Jason Reed | Aug 19, 2022

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 16: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter of Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 16, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)\ /

2. Josh Richardson

The San Antonio Spurs are in a very similar situation as the Utah Jazz. San Antonio traded Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks for draft capital and it is clear that the Spurs are hitting the reset button for the upcoming season.

Like Utah, San Antonio is in the sweepstakes for the no. 1 overall pick and a chance to select French phenom Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama is getting Zion Williamson-levels of hype around hm and every bad team is going to do whatever it can to increase its draft odds.

The Spurs are in that boat and that means that they should be willing to trade veteran role players for young assets. The money lines up nearly perfectly for the Lakers and Spurs and Los Angeles could simply swap THT and a future second for Richardson in a straight-up deal.

Los Angeles could even open up a roster spot if they want to by packaging someone like Wenyen Gabriel in the trade. That might be the move to make if LA wants to pull off a two-for-one for Westbrook and also wants to elevate Cole Swider.

Richardson has taken his lumps in recent years but his makeup is still that of a textbook three and D perimeter defender. Richardson could essentially be what Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was for the Lakers back in 2020.

Richardson’s 41.8% from three last season and is a career 36.5% three-point shooter.

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