Ex-Celtic Big Man, Old Teammate Dominate Current Lakers Trade Talks

 (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The NBA season is almost a quarter of the way through, which means trade rumors are starting to fly. Many franchises are coming up in potential conversation, but recent reports show the Lakers are in the eye of the brewing storm.

That shouldn’t be a huge surprise. Los Angeles has had a decent year so far, staying firmly among the playoff teams in the west, and keeping games close against some of the best squads in the conference. However, they’ve largely done that as a result of their star power.

Even with high-level play from rookie sensation Dalton Knecht, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are doing most of the heavy lifting in Los Angeles. They continue to put the team on their back, and they can do it on both sides of the ball.

When they do well, the Lakers tend to win or stay in games. When they do poorly, or when their supporting cast can’t put it together, they lose. That’s a fragile recipe, and one they hope they can fix in the next month through a big in-season move.

Bringing in a Potential Rim Protector

The Lakers don’t have a ton of trade capital compared to some other teams, but that doesn’t mean they’re afraid of making a move. They’ve done well offensively so far this season, but anyone watching the games will tell you their defense needs work.

To help with that, reports show the franchise is eyeing a tall rim protector to help down in the paint. There are currently two lead options, the first being Portland Trail Blazers’ big man Robert Williams III.

Williams has had a solid season when he’s been able to stay healthy. While his injuries are a concern, the big man would offer length, scoring ability, as well as some championship experience that could pair well with the stars on the team.

As he averages almost 2 blocks (1.9) a game, having him and Davis down low would be a nightmare for opposing teams. They could easily keep people out of the paint and give the Lakers a much more physical identity.

He’s also currently in his third year of a four-year, $48 million dollar deal, which means the Lakers could get him for far less than some other big names who are sure to pop up on the trade market in the coming months.

Another Big Target

If a deal doesn’t materialize for Williams, the Lakers also have their eye on Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe. Though he doesn’t have the same experience as Williams, the 6-foot-11 big man would certainly add to the Lakers’ defensive prowess.

Los Angeles is far from the only franchise interested in Sharpe, especially because he hasn’t played a game this year due to a hamstring injury. That could make him someone who would go for cheap down the line.

Sharpe would certainly function as a backup to start out, but there’s no telling what the 23-year-old could bring to the Lakers. He’s big, hustles, and has been shown to be quite a physical player in his limited playing time.

The Return of An Old Friend

Another big name popping up in Lakers trade talks is Kyle Kuzma. The franchise is reportedly open to reuniting with the tough guard, who would do a great job of bolstering their roster. He would help out the bench and create more depth.

Many teams have their eye on Kuzma, who has proved to be more than a solid role player for Washington. While he’s not someone who can come in and lead a team to a championship, he definitely has enough skill to support the Lakers’ stars like he did during their last ring.

He is currently averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists a game this year.

What the Lakers Would Give Up

The above moves could go a long way for the Lakers, but whatever they do, it’s going to cost them. The team will need to part with some value if they want to bring in new talent, and there are three supposed names they are willing to let go.

Those players are D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent. All three have played well this season, but the team could package them with future picks as a way to bring in some other key pieces.

There’s still a lot of time before the deadline. Even so, those names are likely to move if the Lakers make a trade. There’s no guarantee Los Angeles pulls the trigger, but LeBron and Davis aren’t getting younger. They want a ring this year, and it seems like a change is the only way they’re going to get it.