If the Los Angeles Lakers don’t believe they have their future face of the franchise already on the roster, they could swing a trade for one of these big-name players in 2016-17.
Let’s face it–the Los Angeles Lakers are in a strange situation right now. Kobe Bryant is gone, which leaves them without a proven superstar. There’s plenty of young, high-upside talent on the roster, but the Lakers are still waiting for a star to emerge.
If that doesn’t happen early in 2016-17, Los Angeles could simply opt to trade for their next star player. While pickings are always slim in the middle of the season, it’s not out of the question considering this team’s affinity for blockbuster deals.
So who would they trade for in this hypothetical scenario? There are quite a few names out there that could be had for the right price. Unfortunately, the Lakers would likely have to part with at least one top prospect and what few draft picks they have left. It’s a risky move for a team that needs all of the building blocks it can get.
Still, in the spirit of speculation, it seems like the right time to take a look at possible trade targets.
Related Story: Predicting The Futures Of The Lakers' Rising Stars
So here they are–five big names the Lakers could target via trade during the 2016-17 campaign.
Next: A Big Man From The 76ers