3. Los Angeles Lakers add another young wing
What made the Rui Hachimura trade such a smart one for LA is the fact that he is young and now Los Angeles has the right to match any offer sheet he receives as a free agent (so long that they extend him a qualifying offer).
Hachimura is not going to break the bank in free agency so while he may not have been part of the Wizards’ long-term plans, he could be part of the Lakers’ long-term plans (and should be). This is a great way to build up the roster this season while also getting a cost-controlled asset to keep around past this season.
Los Angeles could make a somewhat similar trade by trading for Charlotte’s Jalen McDaniels. McDaniels is a bit different as he is an unrestricted free agent after this season but getting him in the building is still a great thing.
The team could examine his fit next to LeBron and Anthony Davis and kickstart conversations before he hits the market as a free agent. He too is not going to break the bank and could give the Lakers another young wing to build around over the next 3-4 years.
Charlotte is firmly in the tanking category and would be more than willing to take a second-round pick that is currently in the top 40 for half a season of McDaniels.