Los Angeles Lakers: 4 trades team should make before deadline

4. Washington Wizards

This would represent somewhat of a reunion for Jeff Green. Having played with James last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the opportunity to join forces again represents an opportunity Green would certainly grab with both hands.

At 6’9″ and highly versatile, Green’s ability to play multiple positions, and even pinch-hit as a small-ball center, would be a valuable addition for the Lakers. Now 32, Green is having a solid season with the Washington Wizards, his seventh team since entering the league in 2007. In 46 games, Green is averaging 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting at a commendable 37.6 percent clip from 3-point range.

Splitting his time as both a starter and a reserve, Green has already had seven games in which he posted at least 20 points, recording a +72 over this stretch of performances. To further illustrate Green’s importance this season, the Wizards have thus are 8-1 when Green has scored at least 18 points.

However, with the season-ending injury to All-Star point guard John Wall, the Wizards have dropped to 21-27, and are on the outside looking in as it pertains to a playoff spot.

Considering the Wizards’ predicament, it would make sense for to make Green available if it meant obtaining a talent to utilize down the road. One such player is Moritz Wagner, the 25th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Thus far, Wagner’s playing time has been extremely limited, averaging just 3.4 points in 6.7 minutes per game over 17 appearances.

With the ability to stretch the floor and play at both the 4 and the 5, Wagner would make for an interesting addition alongside their current starting center, Thomas Bryant.

Importantly for the Lakers, Green is currently on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, meaning his salary comes off the books at the end of the season. Overall the deal, which works out financially on the ESPN Trade Machine, has benefits on both sides of the equation.