The trade deadline is about half a month away, and conversations between general managers and executives across the NBA are likely heating up. The Los Angeles Lakers have made the first move, acquiring Rui Hachimura in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and a few second-round picks. And with the team needing further reinforcements, they have remained in trade conversations even after.
Rob Pelinka suggested after the Rui Hachimura deal that the Los Angeles Lakers weren't done in the trade market just yet. And following a humiliating loss to their rival Clippers, fans are ready for the team to move on from Russell Westbrook. Now, the Lakers really need to get players that can contribute and will do so in the future, so if they can swing for a star, they would likely do that. And Zach Lowe has suggested a trade that might help them do just that.
Lakers get: Zach Lavine
Bulls get: Russell Westbrook, two 1st round draft picks (“one unprotected and the second one has the most limited possible protections that’s allowable under NBA rules”)
The Lakers' draft picks are highly coveted across the league, given LeBron James' advancing age and Anthony Davis' injury issues. While the Chicago Bulls might still want a more significant haul for Zach LaVine, they could consider an offer like this, with blowing things up seems like a good option at this point. And LaVine would certainly fit the criteria for what Rob Pelinka would like to trade those picks for.
Rob Pelinka Explained The Lakers Would Move Their Assets If It Was For A Championship Move
Replacing Russell Westbrook on the team with a player and scorer like Zach LaVine would improve the Lakers massively. A Big 3 of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Zach LaVine would immediately make them title contenders, especially with the likes of Dennis Schroder, Thomas Bryant, and Lonnie Walker IV stepping up in their roles. So as per Rob Pelinka's outline, this would be worth giving up assets for.
"If there's an opportunity to get all the way to the end and win a championship, there's no resource we'll hold onto if we feel like that's there... If we see a move that puts us as a frontrunner to get another championship, the 18th one here, we'll make it. And if that move doesn't present itself, we'll be smart and make it at a later time."
With the huge haul the Utah Jazz got in the Rudy Gobert trade complicating the market, it's unlikely that this might be enough to get Zach LaVine. There will be some bigger offers from other teams that are also interested. But if the Lakers can pull this off, it might just be one of the best moves in a long time.
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