3 potential home run Lakers trade packages for Mo Bamba
By Jason Reed
2. Lakers trade Mo Bamba for Larry Nance Jr.
The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans are not strangers when it comes to making trades as the two sides worked out the massive Anthony Davis trade back in 2019. This time around, the Lakers could do the Pelicans a favor and help them save money while bringing back a familiar face in return.
New Orleans is already well over the cap for the 2023-24 season and that is before the team brings back any free agents or brings in players for depth. The team is not going to be able to clear all of the money but it would certainly benefit from freeing up some cash.
Larry Nance Jr. is one of the main targets for the Pelicans to potentially part ways with in order to free up money. He is on an expiring contract and is set to make $10.375 million next season. That is a good price for a player of his caliber but New Orleans needs the space.
Thus, the Lakers and Pelicans could do a swap of $10.3 million players with New Orleans waiving Bamba instantly to free up the money. Meanwhile, the Lakers would be flipping Bamba for a wing that makes more sense for the roster.
Nance is a talented role player that can slash to the rim and can also help space the floor. Not only is he a former Laker but he previously played with LeBron James in Cleveland and played well alongside him.
Nance is a rich man’s version of Troy Brown Jr, who got legitimate minutes in the playoff rotation. He definitely could be a fit in Los Angeles once more.