By now, we have all heard the rumors and read the reports regarding the Los Angeles Lakers’ ties to names like Kyrie Irving and Draymond Green. We have also witnessed a second-half surge that could very easily lead the front office down the path of running it back.
Aside from his disappearing act in the Western Conference Finals, D’Angelo Russell still seems like a logical choice to bring back as the third option (or fourth, depending on how you view Austin Reaves) after registering an efficient second go-round in LA post-All-Star break.
Common sense (and the media) tells us that Rob Pelinka will pursue these guys, and he very well may. However, did common sense tell us that Rob Pelinka would make a trade with Washington for Rui Hachimura in January? Did common sense tell us that he would be able to pull off the heist that he completed just prior to the trade deadline in February?
So, while any of the previously mentioned guys may very well sport a purple and gold uniform next season, there may very well be some names that we have not yet heard that may soon enter the fold. Here are a few examples of those potential sleeper targets for the Lakers to chase this summer.
3 high-end, 2 low-key trade targets for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Seth Curry, Brooklyn Nets
Curry may not be the superior of the two Curry brothers from an overall game standpoint, but the historical numbers paint him as an equally efficient 3-point shooter. Going back to the subject of common sense, it is not difficult to decipher the need for high-quality shooting around your superstar players.
Looking back on his career, LeBron James has thrived when on the court with drive and kick options. Bringing the less glamorous Curry brother would provide The King with another high-powered sniper for his infantry.
His size and lack of athleticism make him a target on defense, but that can be masked by further personnel maneuvers. It also helps to know that Anthony Davis is still around to anchor the defense down low and make up for any perimeter mistakes. At this point in his career, he should fall somewhere in the Mid-Level Exception price range, making him a viable option for the Lakers this summer.
Cam Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
Another of Brooklyn’s impending free agents, Johnson is sure to attract plentiful suitors right from the get-go in free agency. Every team in the league could utilize his services as a high-grade marksman and subtly pesky defender. While these facts should signal a low chance of Johnson coming to tinsel town, nothing is impossible.
He would theoretically be the perfect fit in the frontcourt slotted between James and Davis and is young enough at 27 to grow into a building block for the future of this franchise alongside AD. With heavy demand comes a hefty price, and Johnson will most likely get somewhere between $20-25 million per season.
The team could sign him outright with their available cap space or work out some type of sign-and-trade with the Nets. The front office has some decisions to make on its own free agents, and can also utilize some of their contracts/cap holds in roster moves.