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Why the Lakers could shockingly trade Lonnie Walker IV

By Jason Reed

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 07: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles up the court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 7, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 07: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles up the court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 7, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers rumors
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

2. Trading draft picks might be out of the equation entirely for the Lakers

It has long seemed apparent that the Los Angeles Lakers have no real interest in trading future draft capital this season. And while that is incredibly disappointing to the fans, you cannot entirely blame the team for wanting to hold onto its assets.

Unless the Lakers were able to trade for a true third star the team is not going to find a trade that raises their ceiling by an exponential level. Thus, Los Angeles would be trading extremely valuable picks to marginally improve. Long-term, it is smarter to keep those picks both as insurance for the future as well as to maintain your trade assets for the right trade.

Sports Illustrated’s Howard Beck even said on ‘The Crossover NBA Show’ that there are rumblings that the front office was specifically told not to trade the picks. Beck made it clear it wasn’t a report and mere rumblings but that would not be surprising at all.

If the Lakers want to improve and trading picks are out of the equation then they have to turn to the assets they do have. Max Christie is young but doesn’t have much value and the team likely wants to keep Austin Reaves.

That points the arrow directly at Walker, who as previously mentioned, has a tradeable contract that the Lakers may part ways with after learning from what happened with Monk.

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