Now that the December 15 deadline for trading players who signed deals this summer has passed, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the teams looking to trade for pieces that can help them for the rest of the season. The Lakers could trade some players who could help fill the team’s voids while they wait for next season, where they could get the biggest free-agent in 2018 – LeBron James. According to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, the trade market is expected to open up after the December 15, with the team getting aggressive in beefing up their respective roster.
“Since there’s limited cap room around the league, I think teams are going to be aggressive in trying to reshuffle,” Pelinka told ESPN L.A.’s “Mason and Ireland.”
Lakers looking to improve team
Pelinka added that he and Lakers’ team president Magic Johnson are constantly looking for ways to improve and make the team better, whether via the draft, free agency or trades. Next season, the Lakers are expected to join the chase for James, who is expected to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018. The Lakers will also take their chance on other free agents such as Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins. However, the Lakers are focused on their pressing needs this season. As a young squad, the Lakers have several weaknesses, with their three-point shooting being the most urgent.
Currently, the Lakers are the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA, making just 32 percent of their 26.8 attempts from beyond the arc per game. Rookie Kyle Kuzma is the top three-point shooter for the Lakers, making 36.5 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.
Top three targets for Lakers
To shore up their three-point shooting, the Lakers might arrange a trade for one of these three players, per Christian Rivas of SilverScreenandRoll.com.
The Lakers could trade for 6-foot-10 power forward Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls. This season, Mirotic is averaging 20.0 points and 6.2 rebounds. In five games this season, Mirotic made 15-of-30 attempts from beyond the arc. In his career, Mirotic is a 35.5 percent shooter from three-point range. With just six wins this season, the Atlanta Hawks could unload some of their key pieces, and one of them is Marco Belinelli, who could provide the Lakers with consistent shooting from beyond the arc.
This season, Belinelli is averaging 11.8 points and 2.3 rebounds, making 38 percent of his three-point attempts this season. Instead of waiting for the season to end, the Lakers could go after George now via trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. George is averaging 20.3 points for the Thunder, who have yet to live up to their billing as a powerhouse team this season.
