The Los Angeles Lakers look primed and ready to make a big winter acquisition through the trade market. Rumblings of the Lakers’ interest in the market have run rife since the start of the season, with many reporting that the Lakers are on the lookout for a third star. They’ve been linked to Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray already, with rumblings of Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale also emerging. But what if they went a different route?
All the players they’ve been reported to are bound to generate some stiff competition in the market. They could instead look for more bargain players around the league to strengthen them in key positions. Depth was the route to success last season for the Lakers. They added more depth in the summer, but certain players look miscast in their roles. An improvement is needed for the 17-15 Lakers.
Looking for a star player is always the attraction, but there are multiple alternate trade routes for the Lakers to explore while looking for acquisitions in 2024.
Clint Capela
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Clint Capela
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes
The Lakers have lacked stability at the center position in non-Anthony Davis minutes. AD’s durability this season has been remarkable by his standards, only missing three games. But he’s had to play through injuries due to the lack of players behind him on the Lakers to absorb the load. Jaxson Hayes is raw while Christian Wood is a defensive liability. Instead, they can add a proven veteran center like Clint Capela without having to fork over future capital.
Gabe Vincent has been injury-prone and unavailable for the Lakers. He should be healthy towards the end of the trade deadline, making him a reliable backup guard for the Hawks. Jaxson Hayes will be a serviceable and complementary big next to Trae Young but in an off-the-bench role with Onyeka Okongwu becoming the full-time starter. Taurean Prince is the most usable get, as he’s averaging 9.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in a starting role for the Lakers.
Capela is a monster on the boards and a capable rim defender, averaging 12.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks this season. He won’t be a starter on the Lakers, making him arguably one of the strongest big-man backups in the NBA. It also allows the Lakers to run two-man lineups with both Capela and AD, something that would be very useful in a playoff series against the Wolves or Nuggets.
Dennis Schroder
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Dennis Schroder
Toronto Raptors Receive: Gabe Vincent, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
The reason the 2023-24 Lakers aren’t enjoying the success that they did after last season’s trade deadline is the loss of Dennis Schroder. While Schroder’s inconsistent offense often frustrated Laker fans, he brought stability and defensive hustle which allowed him to be a useful piece. He succeeded off the bench and then earned a starting role as the playoff went on. The Lakers couldn’t afford to re-sign him in the summer, going for Vincent as his replacement.
Schroder is averaging 14.1 points and 6.9 assists for the Raptors this season, bringing the same qualities he did to the Lakers as the replacement for Fred VanVleet. Unfortunately, the Raptors aren’t in a contending position and are already on the outside of the play-in looking in. With multiple issues with the roster and an impending breakup, the Raptors could acquire second-round picks and a manageable contract like Vincent.
Schroder isn’t a game-changer, so there’s not going to be a bidding war for him. He fits the Lakers system and played a big role for them last season. LA needs more guard stability beyond D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, with Schroder bringing back the blueprint that led them to the Western Conference Finals last season.
Jerami Grant
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC) 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL),
The Portland Trail Blazers went overboard trying to re-sign Jerami Grant in a bid to convince Damian Lillard to stay. They handed him a five-year, $160 million contract and are now in the process of a rebuild. Grant is still playing well, averaging 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for the Blazers. They won’t be a winning team anytime soon, so Grant’s abilities are better served on a contender now before they’re a year into the contract and teams shy away from acquiring Grant as a bad contract.
The Lakers could use a multi-use frontcourt player like him. Rui Hachimura hasn’t been able to earn a consistent spot in the Lakers rotation this season, a source of frustration for the Japanese forward. His lack of defensive stability is one of the reasons, something that won’t be a problem for Grant. Darvin Ham would love to have a player like Grant in his system, providing reliable two-way play and becoming the third star on the Lakers.
His contract could get the Lakers out of handing out a first-round pick to Portland, but they’ll have to fork over a lot of second-round picks and their first-round draft pick from 2023, Jalen Hood-Schifino. That’s a loss in terms of value but if the Lakers can get a player like Grant on the roster, they’d be a force in the West.
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