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

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.