In a different type of trade rumor this offseason, the Lakers could be looking to trade the No. 22 pick in Thursday’s draft for Nets guard Landry Shamet.
The Los Angeles Lakers pursuit of seemingly any guard under the sun this offseason had another name added to it on Wednesday. While it isn’t quite as big a name as others they’re reportedly chasing like Kyle Lowry and Russell Westbrook, it would theoretically fill a different type of need.
According to Ian Begley of SNY TV, the Lakers are one of two teams — along with the Mavericks —- to express interest in Brooklyn Nets guard Landry Shamet:
The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams interested in trading for Brooklyn’s Landry Shamet ahead of Thursday’s draft, per SNY sources.
Several teams have communicated with the Nets about possible trades for Shamet. Most of those scenarios involve the Nets receiving the team’s first-round pick.
Brooklyn is currently slated to pick 27th on Thursday night.
If they traded Shamet to Los Angeles, they could move up to No. 22.
Another difference in Shamet is that he is set to make just $3.7 million next season, the final year of his rookie contract. His low salary figure would mean the Lakers would only have to include Alfonzo McKinnie, for example, to make a deal centered around their No. 22 pick.
Last season, Shamet averaged 9.3 points per game for Brooklyn, shooting 38.7% from the 3-point line and 40.8% from the field. Per Synergy, he ranked in the 74th percentile in spot-up opportunities while ranking in the 88th percentile in unguarded catch-and-shoot attempts.
While the Lakers have had discussions trading the No. 22 pick, the reports have been on the team looking to move either up or down in the draft. Between the cap hold that would be associated with the No. 22 pick and McKinnie’s contract, the Lakers would actually save a few hundred thousand dollars in a potential deal. For Brooklyn, McKinnie’s non-guaranteed deal would save them money and luxury tax payments if waived.
The Nets also have a trio of second-round picks that could be included in the deal. Brooklyn owns picks No. 44, No. 49 and No. 59 in Thursday’s draft.
While it’s not the type of deal the Lakers have been linked with this offseason, it could be a way for the Lakers to improve on the margins by adding more shooting and proven talent in lieu of a rookie draft pick.
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