The Los Angeles Lakers have every reason to be buyers at the trade deadline this season. Yet for some reason, it still seems like the front office is going to take the cautious approach despite having the best superstar duo in the league (when healthy) and a shrinking championship window.
Even if a big trade is off the table, Los Angeles can make smaller trades that improve the rotation now while also having an eye on the future. Fans just have to hope that the team’s insistence to not make a big trade doesn’t carry over into smaller deals as well.
Especially when there are promising young trade targets on the market. Rui Hachimura is the latest promising young trade target to potentially hit the market, telling reporters that he just wants to “be somewhere that wants me”.
The Los Angeles Lakers can afford to trade for Rui Hachimura.
Because he is a restricted free agent with half a season under contract, the Lakers have the assets to bring Hachimura in via trade. As long as another team doesn’t come over the top with an offer that is way over Hachimura’s price range, this package should be more than enough:
This is not the most complex trade in the world but there is still a case to be made for both sides. If you are not very familiar with Hachimura then it is understandable to question if he is worth two second-round picks from the Lakers.
On the following pages, we will break down why the Los Angeles Lakers could say yes to this trade as well as why the Washington Wizards could say yes.