Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal are two names who have been linked to the Lakers for some time now.
As the NBA 2022-23 season reaches the halfway mark, front offices will look to get some paperwork done to add more talent and upgrade the roster of their respective franchises.
While the December 15 trade window had 74 players eligible to find new homes, the upcoming January 15 date serves as an important day for top teams to acquire some of the big names in the league, with some of the 2022 free agents ready to be dealt.
This brings in some star names to the mix, with the likes of Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal being some of the major attractions and having already been linked with different teams.
Both players have been vital cogs for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards, respectively, and their contracts also make them candidates for some of the other teams to deal with. LaVine and the Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the stories generating the buzz, while Beal as one of the superstars alongside Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks is the other speculation gaining momentum.
The same when it comes to Phoenix Suns' star Deandre Ayton whose name has been floated around, although he is likely to remain on the side, courtesy of his $30 million deal this season, followed by three seasons of $30+ million.
Victor Oladipo's situation is a bit complex for the Miami Heat. For starters, his one-plus-one deal gives him veto rights over any trade, and per HoopsHype, any trade would cost him his Bird rights. Like Ayton, this might be a season where he stays put in Miami. On that note, we take a look at some of the other names eligible to be traded:
- Nic Claxton
- Mo Bamba
- Luguentz Dort
- Chris Boucher
- Cody Martin
- Dewayne Dedmon
- Kevon Looney
- Bobby Portis
- Mitchell Robinson
- Nicolas Batum
- Anfernee Simons
- Jusuf Nurkic
- Jae’Sean Tate
- Vlatko Cancar
- Amir Coffey
- Tyus Jones
- Jordan Nwora
(Source: ClutchPoints)
Of the above, much of the focus will be on the likes of Ayton, LaVine, and Beal, while the likes of Simons, Bamba, and Robinson are some of the names expected to stay with their respective franchises.
Zach LaVine And Bradley Beal Are Heavily Linked To The Los Angeles Lakers
Among the aforementioned 21 names, Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal are two names who have been linked to the Lakers for some time now. Recently, the Bulls star made the headlines with insiders claiming that he wanted out of Chicago and play for LA.
Beal has been on Purple and Gold's radar for some time, and while his contract makes him a touch lock, it was reported that the franchise was saving their two picks for the veteran.
Much of this can be pegged as speculation for now, and while LA has been looked at as one of the teams slated to make major moves, only time will tell if it manages to land either of the two stars.
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