The Los Angeles Lakers still have maneuvering to do before their 2018 free agency spending spree. These three big-name players could emerge as targets during their preparation for next offseason.
The next year could lead the Los Angeles Lakers down two very different paths.
Down one road, wins and championships await. Down the other, a continued state of mediocrity. There’s this lingering sense that the Lakers will take the former road with Magic Johnson at the helm, but it’s anyone’s guess at this point with so many what-ifs still looming large.
Instead of waiting until 2018 free agency for their fate to be decided, though, the Lakers could take a more proactive approach. By that, I mean they could look to aggressively pursue change in the form of a trade. There’s plenty of talent to be had out there — it just takes a shot-caller willing to make a deal.
Luckily for Los Angeles, Johnson appears to be that type of fearless leader. He took control of this team back in February, and has already restored hope for one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. Fans are excited, the media is talking and players from around the league are being rumored as ready to jump on the bandwagon.
The future seems bright for the Lakers, but we’ve all heard this song before.
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For now, let’s focus on the damage that can be done between now and the 2018 trade deadline. Here are three big-name players the Lakers could hypothetically look to acquire between now and Feb. 8.
Jahlil Okafor, C
Leading up to the 2015 NBA Draft, it was assumed the Lakers would be choosing between two players. The first was D’Angelo Russell, who ended up being Los Angeles’ selection at No. 2 overall. The other was Jahlil Okafor, who came off the board a pick later to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Since that time, Russell has shined (inconsistently), leading the Lakers to trade him this offseason. The 76ers have been making similar efforts while failing to find success. That, however, doesn’t mean that their attempts to deal Okafor will suddenly stop. In fact, they could ramp up in 2017-18 with their current situation in the frontcourt.
That could open a door for the Lakers to swoop in and acquire the No. 3 overall pick at a heavily reduced price. The whole league knows Philadelphia has been trying to unload Okafor. The rumors were flying leading up to the 2017 trade deadline, but nothing came to fruition. As they get more desperate to recoup some of their investment, they’ll start to consider more offers.
This could be the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to land a potential-laden prospect at a fraction of the cost. Maybe they offer something like this:
This allows them to unload Luol Deng’s bloated contract and get something in return for Julius Randle (a 2018 restricted free agent who may not be re-signed) while receiving a talented young center and a capable shooter on the wing with an expiring contract. The 76ers get a talented power forward who can provide quality depth, a veteran presence in Deng, and more draft assets.
The only real loss here for the Lakers is the first round pick. Then again, they already loaded up on young prospects during the 2017 NBA Draft, so a (potentially) mid-to-late first-round pick isn’t a huge loss. Getting Okafor, however, gives them another relatively cheap, high-upside option at center alongside Ivica Zubac for when Brook Lopez‘ contract expires in 2018.
Realistically, the big takeaway here is that Deng’s contract is off the books. Losing Randle and a first round pick is worth freeing up more cap space for a 2018 free agency spending spree.
Dwyane Wade, SG
Right now, the Lakers seem to have some semblance of hope that they can sign LeBron James next offseason. If that is going to happen, though, starting the recruiting process now (without breaking NBA/CBA rules) would be ideal.
One way to do so would be to bring aboard one of James’ best buddies. Yes, I’m talking about Dwyane Wade, who played with the King for four years with the Miami Heat. The two have formed a bromance of sorts, even leading to speculation that Wade would sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2016.
Having him in Los Angeles would likely make wooing LeBron that much easier. In the scenario I’m about to propose, the Lakers kill two birds with one stone.
First, the Lakers get Wade. That gives them an edge in recruiting James next offseason, which is sure to have its fair share of ripple effects. They also unload Deng’s deal, which is one of the top items on Los Angeles’ to-do list in 2017-18. Jordan Clarkson is gone, but so is the $12.5 million he’s going to average over the next three years. The draft pick hurts, but you have to find some sort of incentive for taking on Deng’s $54 million.
Maybe the Bulls pitch in a depth piece or second round pick to ease the pain a bit.
Either way, it’s a bold move that can pay serious dividends for the Lakers. It also opens up significant cap space with which the team can maneuver next offseason.
This is, of course, assuming that Wade is willing to take a huge pay cut to stick around next year. With James and Paul George in the Lakers’ crosshairs, there’s only going to be so much cap space to go around. Wade is currently making $23.8 million in the final year of his deal, but would need to accept significantly less to join LeBron’s party in Los Angeles in 2018-19.
DeMarcus Cousins, C
The only way this situation arises is if things don’t go as planned for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017-18. They made the blockbuster deal to acquire the abrasive big man last season, but may not like what they see enough to hand him a max deal next offseason.
If they figure that out before the 2018 trade deadline, maybe they find a trade partner. A franchise like the Lakers that has shown serious interest in Cousins before, and would be willing to part with draft picks to get a deal done. It would be a costly endeavor for Los Angeles, but one that could help put together a super-team in 2018.
So here’s what I’m thinking:
On the surface, this seems like a rough trade for the Lakers, but hear me out. Obviously they get the star center in DeMarcus Cousins who they attempted to acquire last year. They also get an expiring contract in Quincy Pondexter, who hasn’t played since the 2015 NBA Playoffs due to numerous injuries. Regardless, he makes the deal work from a financial standpoint.
They part with Lopez and Randle, who both stand a good chance at leaving next offseason anyway. Again, it’s not ideal parting with two draft picks, but that’s the price you pay for a superstar like Cousins. The Pelicans recoup their draft picks from the original trade, get a high-upside big and aren’t forced to spend big bucks to re-sign the polarizing center.
It doesn’t solve the Deng issue, but Magic can figure something else.
Next: Lakers' top trade candidates before 2018 deadline
The important thing here is that this deal allows the Lakers to secure Cousins’ Bird Rights. That means they can re-sign him during the offseason without having to worry about the salary cap. They spend big on James and George, then ink Cousins to a five-year max deal. Add Lonzo Ball to the mix, and you’ve put together a Western Conference contender overnight.