3. Evan Fournier
The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers have been connected via trade rumors, most notably for Cam Reddish. However, Evan Fournier is also a potential trade target for Los Angeles as Shams report indicated that the team touched base on a potential Fournier/Reddish trade.
Fournier has become a sunken asset for the Knicks and a lot of Lakers fans might not like the idea of trading for a sunken asset. But once again, the team does not have much to offer on the trade market. Beggers cannot be choosers and the Lakers might be forced to take a chance on turning around someone like Fournier.
The deal would essentially be identical to the theorized McDermott trade on the previous page. Los Angeles would send two expiring contracts in Beverley and Nunn to get Fournier (and his two remaining seasons after this season) back. New York gets salary-cap relief for a player they don’t want long-term, the Lakers get someone who has proven he can be a very valuable three and D player when he is at his best.
Reddish could be sprinkled into the trade as well. In a perfect world, the Knicks would attach Reddish just at the cost of the Lakers taking back Fournier’s contract. In reality, Los Angeles would have to send a second-round pick.
It is a risk but if Los Angeles can unlock Fournier then the team would be in a great spot moving forward. Not only would they have a valuable role player for the rest of this season but for the next two seasons as well.
Lakers can’t right their wrongs by trading for former player
The Los Angeles Lakers could try to right the wrongs of the past by trading for a former championship player. The problem is that it won't work.
But if it doesn’t work then the Lakers run the risk of tying their hands financially with a contract to a role player that is not contributing.