2 Lakers-Grizzlies Trade Targets To Improve Los Angeles

Tonight on ESPN, your 17-18 Los Angeles Lakers, in the midst of a three-game losing streak, will take on the 11-23 Memphis Grizzlies in a battle of Western Conference play-in hopefuls.

Both clubs aren't quite where they'd like to be at this stage of the 2023-24 NBA season, although in the Grizzlies' case they were missing their best play for their first 25 contests. LA could certainly use something of a shakeup roster-wise, as the team has been struggling to click offensively. The club's 113.3 defensive rating ranks eighth in the NBA, while their 112.4 offensive rating is a paltry 24th. 

Let's take a look at two intriguing, non-minimum salaried players with whom it would, at least theoretically, be willing to part -- for the right price. I assume All-Star point guard Ja Morant, shooing guard Desmond Bane, and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. are all off the board unless an All-Star is in the offing, so that's not on the table today.

Marcus Smart

LA could use a D'Angelo Russell upgrade. D-Lo has been demoted to the bench for his latest role within head coach Darvin Ham's ever-changing rotation. Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, would obviously represent a massive upgrade protecting the perimeter over Russell's turnstile approach, even though Smart has slipped on that end of the floor since his peak two seasons ago. His $18.6 million contract would fit in nicely with Russell's $17.3 million this year. From a Memphis perspective, why would they do this, you ask, especially with a West rival? For LA's highly-coveted future first round draft pick, either in 2029 or '30. LA could put lottery protections on it to be safe. Does the addition of Smart significantly elevate the Lakers' title chances enough to justify the move, though? 

Luke Kennard

The Lakers need severe three-point shooting help. Kennard would qualify, but he's also a big advent for the Grizzlies' long range efficacy. Memphis, however, is severely size-challenged. The sharpshooting swingman's $14.8 million aligns well with power forward Rui Hachimura's $15.7 million deal. Losing the 6'8" Gonzaga product could hurt some of the jumbo-sized Lakers' optionality in its frontcourt, but it would behoove the Purple and Gold to add a 38.5% long range shooter on 5.9 triple tries a night.