Lakers trade options right before 2024 NBA training camp https://t.co/vBRznoiHpR
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 3, 2024
Jerami Grant – Portland Trail Blazers
Any scenario to land Grant would likely involve Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and either Christian Wood or Cam Reddish, but none of these players truly benefit Portland in any way. This now leads to the Lakers having to find a third and fourth team to potentially facilitate the trade, which would be near impossible this close to training camp. Aside from figuring out the logistics of making the money work this season, the Lakers would be very pressed for cap space and tax relief moving forward if they were to add Grant.
The idea is appealing to the Lakers, but it is hard to imagine that a deal involving Grant will come to fruition right now.
Cam Johnson – Brooklyn Nets
The question is whether or not the Lakers have the draft assets that the Nets are searching for in trade talks this offseason. Los Angeles can’t trade a first-round pick until 2029 at the earliest, and it is unknown if Pelinka would want to sacrifice what could wind up being a valuable asset in the post-LeBron era. The Nets have been asking for multiple draft picks in proposals for Johnson, leading to the belief that the Lakers may not have the capability to pull off this type of trade.
Kyle Kuzma – Washington Wizards
Perhaps the biggest assessment here regarding the Lakers possibly exploring the idea of bringing back Kuzma is the fact that he very unlikely wants to play with Davis and James again. With the Lakers, Kuzma was put into a box and had to play a catch-and-shoot role on the perimeter. Since joining the Wizards, Kuzma has showcased his full offensive repertoire and has proven that he can be a focal point for a team. Unfortunately, that is not the role he held in Los Angeles, and it isn’t the role he would hold upon possibly returning.
This is certainly a long-shot scenario. Nonetheless, Kuzma remains on the trade block and will hear his name in rumors once again leading up to the 2025 trade deadline.
Bruce Brown – Toronto Raptors
If the Lakers were to seriously pursue Brown between now and the start of the 2024-25 season, they would undoubtedly need to include Hachimura in trade discussions with the Raptors due to the fact that he is only 26 years old and presents upside as a scorer at the power forward position next to Scottie Barnes. Last offseason, the Raptors did show interest in Gabe Vincent, sources said. It is unknown at this time if the Raptors would still be interested in Vincent after trading for and extending Immanuel Quickley.
From the Lakers point of view, Brown would be the ideal type of player to target due to the fact that he is in the final year of his contract and can wear multiple hats next to James and Davis.
Nikola Vucevic – Chicago Bulls
The best part about pursuing Vucevic from the Lakers’ perspective is that they wouldn’t need to break the bank to acquire him. Chicago isn’t going to be getting first-round picks for the veteran center, so Los Angeles could potentially get him at a discounted rate of Rui Hachimura and Christie Wood.
Overall, the Lakers upgrade their frontcourt and scoring depth while also remaining below the second apron tax line. Attach two second-round picks to a deal that includes both Wood and Hachimura, and all of a sudden, you have yourself a deal that the Bulls would likely accept.
Jordan Clarkson – Utah Jazz
Any trade that Los Angeles would look to make with Utah would certainly involve at least one other team due to Hachimura and/or Gabe Vincent likely being on the move — two players the Jazz would hold zero interest in.
As far as bench scoring and extra depth in the backcourt goes, Clarkson is certainly an option on the trade market for the Lakers and any other team that would be looking for a veteran scoring guard.