The Los Angeles Lakers are going to try and improve in some way this season. A Russell Westbrook trade might not end up happening but the team has other options and assets that they can move to make an improvement.
There have been some interesting names connected to the Lakers (some of which not being possible) that would add a boost to the rotation. At this point, that is all you can really ask for if you are a Lakers fan. Expecting a big trade that nets a star in return is unrealistic.
One of the most prominent names attached to the Lakers is former 2019 lottery pick, Cam Reddish. The former Duke star has fallen out of the New York Knicks rotation and it is clear that it is only a matter of time before he is traded. The Lakers are perhaps the most likely destination as they showed interest in Reddish before he was traded to the Knicks last season.
The Knicks and Lakers have reportedly touched base on a potential trade already for Reddish. The Knicks’ asking price is unclear but the current market for Reddish suggests that it is more than doable for the Lakers.
This is not quite accurate - it's the current market, but not the asking price. https://t.co/FoPgR56MMw
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) December 11, 2022
New York could try to ask for more (and they will) but the market will ultimately define what they get for Reddish. Unless some team comes in over the top with an absurd overpay, the purple and gold have the assets to make this trade happen.
Cam Reddish at this price is perfect for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers have two second-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft so they have an extra asset to trade away for Reddish. They have the minimum contracts to trade away as well simply to make the money work for both sides.
Reddish has shown flashes of serious promise in his short NBA career. This could be a classic case of someone simply needing a change of scenery and if there is any team to get the most out of a young player it is the Lakers. Look what they did with Malik Monk and Lonnie Walker IV.
Los Angeles desperately needs wing depth so Reddish would get ample playing time to develop as a pro in Los Angeles. He is still only 23 years old, after all, and because his career hasn’t been great the Lakers should be able to re-sign him to a cheap deal after this season.
At the absolute most, Los Angeles may have to trade Max Christie and quite frankly, it would be worth it. Christie is redundant with this current roster and his development timeline does not match up with his contract. By the time he eventually blossoms he might not be in LA anyway.
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Plus, LA would be trading a second-round pick for a recent lottery pick. Just on the basis of ceiling alone, that is a move a team should make almost every time.