Los Angeles Lakers: 3 potential trade proposals for Paul George
Trade No. 1
Realistically, the Lakers aren’t going to part ways with Brandon Ingram for a guy they stand a good chance to luring to Los Angeles during free agency. However, if they were serious about getting him now, it would likely take one of their three “untouchables.”
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Let’s be honest — the Lakers aren’t getting rid of Lonzo Ball. With the potential he possesses, they’re going to see how far he can take them. I also don’t think they even entertain the idea of trading away Kyle Kuzma considering how dangerous the rookie has been in 2017-18.
That leaves only Ingram left to dangle for George, while Corey Brewer and Tyler Ennis make the financials work.
As painful as it would be to watch Ingram go, George would be an excellent replacement at small forward. He’s a proven superstar and one of the league’s best two-way players. Not only can he be a force on the offensive end, but PG-13 is more than capable of shutting down some of the NBA’s top scorers with his defense.
Is that worth watching the Ingram experiment unfold elsewhere? Personally, I don’t think so. However, if Magic truly believes George can put this team over the top or help lure in another superstar in 2018, dealing Ingram could become a realistic option.
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Trading for George sounds like an epic idea. However, I don’t think it’s necessary to give up a talent like Ingram when the Lakers’ chances of signing George come July are so high. In this exercise, though, I’m looking at proposals that could get the job done. I believe this is the one the Thunder would jump at.