Los Angeles Lakers: Proposals for 3 expiring contracts before trade deadline

3. Channing Frye, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers

Personally, I like this trade idea for the Lakers. I’m not sure if the Cleveland Cavaliers would go for it, but it works out well for Los Angeles.

In this scenario, they unload Julius Randle without taking on any long-term contracts. Losing Tyler Ennis certainly takes a bite out of the Lakers’ backcourt depth, but there are worse things that could happen to this roster. The important part of this, though, is picking up that 2018 first round pick.

At this moment, the Lakers don’t own a first round pick in June’s draft. In fact, they only own the Denver Nuggets’ second round selection, which seems likely to fall in the second half of the second round. In case you’re unaware, those selections don’t often yield anything more than overseas stashes and G League lifers.

The Cavaliers’ first round pick would land somewhere in the mid-20s if the season ended today. Although that’s not an ideal spot for securing a quality contributor, we’ve recently seen that the Lakers’ scouting department is more than capable of finding gems near the end of the first round. Just ask Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart.

Channing Frye doesn’t do much for Los Angeles, but he’s an expiring contract who doesn’t hurt their financial situation moving forward. It isn’t a solve-all in their pursuit of two superstar free agents, but it does move Randle and give them a solid draft asset.