Building a home run 3-team trade with the Knicks and Lakers
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors are starting to pick back up as December 15 looms and the team actually shows some potential. If the front office can best maximize the roster they have this season, the team could actually go farther in a wide-open Western Conference than anyone was expecting.
A non-Russell Westbrook trade seems like the most likely deal for the Lakers to make this season. However, as we are reminded every few weeks in the NBA, anything can happen with player movement. A Westbrook trade is not completely off the table, even if it seems unrealistic.
The New York Knicks have been connected to the Lakers more than any other team as they battle their own issues with their rotation and wanting to part ways with players. In fact, Knicks insider Ian Begley reported on Thursday that the Lakers and Knicks touched base on a three-team trade that included Cam Reddish.
Reddish alone does not warrant a three-team trade as his salary is small and the Lakers can match it with Kendrick Nunn. Instead, a three-team trade could be an avenue for the Lakers and Knicks to include Evan Fournier in the trade without actually sending Fournier to Los Angeles.
If that is indeed the case, there is a home run three-team trade that the Lakers and Knicks can work out to check the boxes that both franchises are looking to check.
A home run three-team trade between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers:
This trade is not much different than if the Knicks and Lakers did business just between them. The return for the Knicks is actually identical. They accomplish their goal of getting Fournier’s contract off the books without having to trade a pick (something they would have to do otherwise) and get a second-round pick in the process.
Instead of bringing in Fournier, who has potential but has been disappointing, the Lakers might be intrigued to reroute him to another team in return for a more promising role player. In this case, the Lakers are the team trading a protected future first to get Fournier out of New York but are getting a solid role player in return.
That solid role player is Bogan Bogdanovic, who was traded to the Pistons before the 2022-23 season and signed a two-year extension with the club. Bogdanovic is a much more natural fit for the Lakers than Fournier, especially considering he is playing well while Fournier is not.
The Pistons have the cap space to eat Fournier’s contract and would definitely take one of the most valuable first-round picks for Bogdanovic, even if it is top-five protected. Detroit has no reason to keep Bogdanovic around and should be tanking for Victor Wembanyama anyway.
Meanwhile, the Lakers should be much more likely to trade a first for someone like Bogie who has multiple years under contract. As talented as he is, it does not make a ton of sense to trade a first for half a season of Myles Turner.
This is a three-team trade that accomplishes things for all three clubs and leaves each party happy with the outcome.