Even after a thrilling Christmas Day win for the Lakers, it’s clear the team still needs to improve through trades. A new report from ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed their surprising willingness to move on from some coveted draft capital.
NBA Rumors: Insider Reveals Lakers Willingness to Part with Picks
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According to Charania, the Lakers are open to moving on from their three tradable first-round picks (likely their 2029/2031 picks and a pick swap) for players who can fit with this team both now and in the future.
“My sources in that Lakers front office tell me… they’re open to moving that [3 first-round picks] in a potential trade but they want a player or players that they feel can get into this iteration of this team now with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but can also play for three, four, five more years with JJ Redick as the coach.”
“My sources in that Lakers front office tell me… they’re open to moving that [3 first-round picks] in a potential trade but they want a player or players that they feel can get into this iteration of this team now.”
Shams Charania on First Take.pic.twitter.com/xxqJ3u89CU
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 26, 2024
This stance isn’t completely new considering the Lakers’ situation, though there is now clarity on the type of player they’d be willing to trade those picks for. Instead of a bonafide third star, the Lakers appear to be content with solid role players who, as Charania mentioned, can seamlessly plug into this roster as it stands now with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Potential Targets
The Lakers were already linked to a bevy of players, but their renewed thinking could shift their focus away from some veteran players, namely Jonas Valanciunas, Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant. That’s not to say the Lakers could still go out and get them, but hardly any of them are worth the team’s future firsts, especially at this point in the season.
Still, there are other standout players the Lakers could trade those first-rounders for, particularly wings and centers who can shore up the team’s biggest needs.
Cam Johnson and/or Dorian Finney-Smith
Both Brooklyn wings, Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith have been consistently linked to the Lakers. Now that the Nets are entering rebuild mode, it’s a perfect time to pry one or both of them from New York.
Johnson is in the midst of a career year, putting up 19.1 points per game on 48% shooting from the field, 42% from three and 88% from the free-throw line. He’s had a plethora of scoring outbursts—including a season-high 37 against Philadelphia—and provides solid athleticism and defense. He’s putting up numbers that should catch the eyes of contenders, and the Lakers should capitalize on his trade value while it’s still sky high.
Cam Johnson did it all vs the raptors last night..
33/10/6/2 on 81% TS.
Showed his advanced creation game as he tied career high in ast, generated tons of contact with 12 FTA, the usual elite shooting on/off ball.
One of the most polished offensive players in the league pic.twitter.com/3g1ZFg4WEh
— Nets Film Room (@NetsFilm) December 20, 2024
In a similar vein, Finney-Smith is a veteran sharpshooter with years of playoff experience. The 31-year-old combo forward is averaging 10.8 points while shooting a career-best 45% from deep (not to mention 47% from the field, another career-high). The Lakers were reportedly in “constant contact” about Finney-Smith dating back to last season.
Johnson and Finney-Smith fit the bill as 3-and-D wings who can take the scoring pressure off of several key Lakers while stopping opposing forwards, including a team’s best player. While landing both of them is a dream scenario (one that may involve Russell and Rui Hachimura, for instance), acquiring one of them would be ideal for the Lakers’ current needs.
Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler
Another pair the Lakers could aim for is Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler from the Jazz.
Sexton, a 25-year-old combo guard, has recently come up as a name to watch for the Lakers, according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha. Across 28 games (26 starts), he is putting up 17.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists on .487/.434/.889 splits. He’s coming off of a 24-point, 5-assist performance in Utah’s loss to the Cavaliers on Dec. 23. Fans and the media have pinned Sexton as a possible Russell replacement dating back to last season. Considering how well he has played despite Utah’s poor results, acquiring Sexton makes sense for the Lakers’ future.
Meanwhile, Kessler, Utah’s starting center, has become a revelation for Jazz fans, leading several contenders—the Lakers included—to express interest in him. The 23-year-old 7-footer is averaging 10.5 points and 10.7 rebounds while shooting 72% from the field, finding success after his promotion to the starting lineup. However, that good fortune has also led Utah to keep Kessler around and reject any trade calls for him, including proposals that offered two first-round picks—a hefty asking price for a center on a two-year team option.
Under General Manager Danny Ainge, the Jazz will be tougher trade partners for the Lakers, but it doesn’t mean they should rule Utah out completely. Both Sexton and Kessler provide valuable skills at positions of need for the Lakers, and Rob Pelinka should do all he can to put them in a situation where they can thrive.
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