Los Angeles Lakers: 3 big-name targets before 2018 trade deadline

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.