Home run Lakers trade target is no longer on the table with inflated price

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most involved teams in recent NBA trade rumors as the team continues to lose its footing in the stacked Western Conference. Viewed a contender before the season began, the Lakers have been anything but that since winning the NBA In-Season Tournament.

It is clear that this combination of talent with the coaching staff is not working. Los Angeles does not need a massive overhaul like last season but there are certainly tweaks that can be made to improve the team's fortunes down the stretch.

Lakers fans have come up with a laundry list of potential trade targets for the team to pursue ranging from lesser-known role players to former All-Defensive players. One such player is Malcolm Brogdon, who is almost guaranteed to be traded by the Portland Trail Blazers after being included in the Jrue Holiday trade with Boston.

Brogdon, who signed with Klutch Sports early in the season, would be a great basketball fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis; however, according to Michael Scotto's latest intel drop, it appears that Brogdon's price is a bit too high for the Lakers to afford

"For Malcolm Brogdon, a lot of executives around the league think it would take at least a first-round pick to get him from Portland. I spoke with Brogdon recently and wrote about it on HoopsHype. He mentioned enjoying his role on the one hand being valued for his leadership, but it’s definitely been a challenge with the young guys because their emphasis is on the development of Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons."

Lakers can't afford to trade a first-round pick for Malcolm Brogdon

As solid as Brogdon would be on the Lakers, the team simply does not have the means to trade a first-round pick for the point guard. Los Angeles has limited picks it can trade with only one unprotected pick to trade in 2029.

The Lakers could trade a pick swap in 2026, 2028 or 2030. Los Angeles could also include Jalen Hood-Schifino, who was just taken with the 17th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Outside of those avenues, the Lakers do not really have the means to trade a first-round pick.

Brodgon is not worth the team's 2029 pick, especially with reports that the team may try to package three picks in a bigger trade over the offseason.

If Portland does not have any teams willing to trade a first-round pick then the Lakers can re-enter the conversation. Brogdon is on an expiring contract and there is no real point in the Blazers keeping him around for the rest of the season.

But if there are other teams willing to trade a first-round pick then Brogdon will not be in the realm of possibility at all for the purple and gold.