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3 trades to make the Los Angeles Lakers a contender this season

By Jason Reed

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 07, 2023 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 07, 2023 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. The Los Angeles Lakers get their third star

Things have been tumultuous for the Chicago Bulls this season. A bad start to the season kickstarted the trade rumors around the team that were only increased with reported friction between Zach Lavine and the organization.

Chicago could have turned the season around with some wins but that has been the opposite of what has happened. The team has lost three games in a row and is within striking distance of being a bottom-four team in the league (which is important because if the Bulls’ pick isn’t in the top four it goes to the Magic).

Chicago may already have buyer’s remorse about LaVine’s big contract, prompting the team to shop him. Los Angeles doesn’t have the most to offer for LaVine but they have the right amount of desperation to offer their best assets. Because of LaVine’s injury history, teams like the New York Knicks may wait for the next disgruntled star.

The Lakers could still trade the coveted 2027 and 2029 first-round picks if they get a star in return, which LaVine certainly is. Even if you do not agree with the trade as a fan, it is hard to deny how great the Lakers’ starting five could be with LaVine (and after these other moves).

After all of these moves, the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting five would be as followed:

  • PG: Austin Reaves
  • SG: Zach LaVine
  • SF: LeBron James
  • PF: Anthony Davis
  • C: Thomas Bryant

The closing lineup could be different as the Lakers could turn to Burks to add an extra shooting threat in place of Thomas Bryant. Los Angeles shouldn’t be playing AD at the five full-time but he can do it in crunch time. The rest of the team’s rotation would be as followed:

  • 6th: Alec Burks
  • 7th: Lonnie Walker IV
  • 8th: Dennis Schroder
  • 9th: Wenyen Gabriel
  • 10th: Cam Reddish

And so on and so on. Drummond, Troy Brown Jr, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Max Christie and whoever the Lakers want to sign to a 10-day contract or on the buyout market would round out the rest of the rotation.

Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA (especially with the Lakers’ injury history) but it is hard to not like that team to make a deep title push.

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