NBA Trades: 5 targets the Los Angeles Lakers must pursue this offseason

NBA Trades: 5 quality targets for the Los Angeles Lakers — Mike Conley, Utah Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in their current predicament because Russell Westbrook simply was not a great fit at the point guard position. If they are able to trade him, they must seek a better fit at the position, which they could do by targeting Mike Conley. With the Utah Jazz trying to shake things up, they will likely look to deal the 34-year-old elsewhere, and Los Angeles would be wise to kick the tires on him in trade discussions.

While he is not the player he once was, Conley, who was an All-Star a year ago, has been solid as Utah’s floor general over the last three years by averaging 14.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Offensively, he would be a great fit for this team, giving them another capable player to handle the basketball that can orchestrate the offense and make shots. The guard has been one of Utah’s most reliable long-range shooters in that timeframe by hitting 40.1 percent of his triples as well. Defensively, the former All-Defensive honoree has always been a pest on that end of things, and he would bring some intensity to the Lakers.

Conely is currently on the books for $22.8 million next season, which means he could be a player involved in any Westbrook to Utah deal. Acquiring the 34-year-old would be a great move for the Lakers, giving them a new point guard that fits in better with its star players in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They would certainly be a strong Big 3, and the Lakers should give it some genuine thought as these rumored trade talks with the Jazz continue to take place.