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3 big-name Lakers trade targets revealed (but are they realistic?)

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Capital One Arena on December 04, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Capital One Arena on December 04, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

P.J. Washington: Not realistic without Russell Westbrook

Unfortunately for Lakers fans, P.J. Washington is another trade target that is not very realistic for the team. However, unlike Kuzma, there is a world in which the Lakers could get Washington, it just would not be with one of these smaller trades.

Instead, the only way to realistically get Washington would be if he was included in a bigger deal for Russell Westbrook. This kind of deal would include someone like Terry Rozier with Washington being thrown in. Of course, Charlotte would be demanding at least one unprotected first for this kind of trade.

As far as a non-Westbrook trade goes, Washington does not make a lot of sense. His salary is only at $5.8 million so the Lakers would only be able to send Kendrick Nunn and a minimum contract to get it done.

But even with Washington rejecting a contract extension before the season, the Hornets have no reason to say yes to this trade. They would get far more value out of simply keeping him around this season and if anything, trading him as a restricted free agent in the offseason.

Again, it would take a first-round pick for the Lakers to convince the Hornets otherwise and are they really going to trade a first for someone who they are going to have to pay next offseason? If the team is going to do that they might as well make a Westbrook deal.

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