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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 latest rumors on trade talks, draft plans

By Gil Alcaraz IV

Mar 15, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) calls a play on the court in the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers beat the Charlotte Hornets 98-77.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) calls a play on the court in the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers beat the Charlotte Hornets 98-77.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brandon Ingram is Lakers’ only untouchable

We all assumed when Magic took the reins, some big changes would follow. Now it appears, more than ever, that the Lakers are willing to wheel and deal in order to give this franchise a brighter future. Johnson’s recent comments back up that assertion.

During a radio interview on ESPN Los Angeles, Magic made it clear that all but one of the Lakers’ current players can be had via trade:

"“I would say probably the only player that we would say, hey, we would probably not move is Brandon Ingram.”"

Now before we all go crazy, we hear these types of statements all the time from NBA shot-callers. Just because players are technically available doesn’t necessarily mean a trade is just around the corner. Considering the Lakers’ current situation, though, it is understandably noteworthy — especially with the recent speculation regarding D’Angelo Russell‘s future.

Related Story: Potential landing spots for D'Angelo Russell

More generally, this means Magic is willing to shake things up this offseason if it means putting this team in a better position to do two things: 1) Win and  2) Lure in top-tier free agents. It’s all about positive progress, which was relatively nonexistent under the previous regime.

It’s also worth noting that Ingram was named as the only untouchable for Los Angeles. While I wouldn’t call him the Lakers’ best player right now, he’s obviously oozing with potential. Another year or two of development could see him emerge as one of the NBA’s best young wings.

Will Russell be dealt to make way for an incoming point guard? Can the Lakers find a way to unload the contracts of Timofey Mozgov and/or Luol Deng? No one knows for sure, but anything is possible (apart from an Ingram trade) at this point in the offseason.

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