The Los Angeles Lakers are just hoping to stay in striking distance in the Western Conference until Anthony Davis returns from injury. If the team can do that and AD returns at full strength, the Lakers absolutely could be willed to a playoff berth by their two superstars.
It seems like the team might be taking a more cautious path and could end up riding out this roster for the rest of the season. That is not what the fanbase wants as Lakers fans are groomed to expect quality basketball — which is something that has been lacking in recent years.
Los Angeles may not be able to make a big trade but there are still trade targets on other bad NBA teams that are in the realm of possibility. Rob Pelinka should be doing his due diligence on these players, as the Lakers could find a difference-making role player.
Here are 3 trade targets on bad teams the Lakers should pursue:
1. Doug McDermott
Doug McDermott is probably the cheapest trade target to acquire at this contract point, making him perhaps the most likely. McDermott can shoot threes with the best of them (41.6% from three this season) but cannot really do much else.
The Lakers need shooting and someone like McDermott, who does not have a high price point, is probably the best kind of target to pursue. Sure, they might not be getting as good of an all-around player but they would be trading less.
McDermott has another season under contract with the Spurs and with there not being a huge trade market for him, it could benefit San Antonio to trade him and the extra year of his deal for an expiring contract like Patrick Beverley.
Los Angeles would have to throw in a second-round pick as well but the benefit of getting McDermott off the books would benefit the small-market Spurs most of all. They would help their tanking efforts, save money and would pick up a second-round pick in the process.