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Grade the trade: Lakers add All-NBA guard in proposed deal

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers watches the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 04, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers watches the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 04, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers completely reinvented the roster at the 2023 NBA trade deadline and were able to ride that momentum into the Western Conference Finals. The Denver Nuggets ultimately got the best of the Lakers but it was an extremely promising turnaround for the purple and gold.

Rob Pelinka continued that momentum into the summer with a stellar offseason. Pelinka was able to bring back last season’s core and make key additions to that core. It was all done at a great price as well, making the Lakers one of the biggest winners of the offseason.

This was all supposed to happen as Pelinka called the moves that were made at the deadline “pre-agency” for the 2023 summer. And just like those moves set up what the team was able to do in the summer, the moves that the team recently made in free agency set up more potential moves at the 2024 trade deadline.

The Lakers could make a big trade at the 2024 trade deadline

Los Angeles has the maneuverability to make a big trade in February if needed. If things are going well and the Lakers look like the best team in the league then there is no need. But if there are any kind of speed bumps, and LA is getting pressure from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, then a move can be made.

It is all centered around D’Angelo Russell, who the Lakers all but confirmed they would eventually trade with the contract he signed this summer. Russell alone won’t get an all-star or All-NBA player to Los Angeles but he could definitely be part of something bigger that adds a huge name to the Los Angeles Lakers roster.

That huge name very well could be Trae Young, who was lightly attached to the Lake Show this offseason. With legitimate ties existing to Young, it is worth breaking down what a potential deadline deal could look like as well as hand out grades for both teams in action.

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