4 Dream trade deadline targets for the Lakers (and what they'd cost)

4. Alex Caruso

Perhaps the most intriguing option for the Lakers would be Alex Caruso. The former Laker is still an obvious fan favorite, and many would be thrilled to see him back in the purple and gold once again.

Starting his professional career in the G League, Caruso signed a two-way deal with the Lakers in summer of 2017 and the rest is history. He would go on to play the first four seasons of his NBA career in Los Angeles, helping the Lakers take home the championship in 2020.

In the 2021 offseason, Lakers management made a blunder in allowing Caruso to sign a four-year deal with the Chicago Bulls, and their perimeter defense took a major hit as a result. Now, LA could be seeking to get their prodigal son back home.

Bringing Alex back makes a ton of sense from a basketball standpoint. He of course brings lockdown on-ball defense and high IQ to his teams, but Caruso is also putting up a career-best 10 points per game this season as well.

When it comes to the price to acquire him, reports are saying that the Bulls would request a return that equates to "the equivalent of two first-round picks." Once again, this is a steep ask for a team with as little draft capital as the Lakers. However, with Caruso being owed just $9.8 million next season, they would not be incurring nearly as bad a cap hit as they would with some of the other players on this list.