The Los Angeles Lakers might be able to address two huge roster holes with a single, epic trade.
Which team would be on the other end of such a deal? Surprisingly, the Washington Wizards have emerged as a potentially pivotal trade partner for the Lakers, as noted on Monday by Fadeaway World’s Ishaan Bhattacharya.
“The Wizards might be having a fire sale of players by the time February rolls around, with multiple veteran players who could benefit from being on other franchises,” Bhattacharya said.
“The (Lakers have) major issues with … guard play and a complete lack of backup center minutes behind Anthony Davis. They could address both these needs in a trade with the Washington Wizards.”
Bhattacharya envisioned a deal in which the Lakers receive former Boston Celtics Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas by sending Washington a package of D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Christian Wood, and three second-round picks (two from 2025 and one from 2030).
“The Lakers get to add a big man who can play alongside Davis or as his backup while also adding a versatile guard who can be most effective off the bench but also be a complementary fit alongside Austin Reaves as the starting backcourt for the franchise,” Bhattacharya said.
“The Lakers can’t afford to get complacent while competing against other West teams. They’re currently ahead of contenders like the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns, but those franchises can get back into the swing of contention by making minor tactical tweaks and waiting for injuries.”
“This deal brings them two major contributors in positions of need. Rob Pelinka cannot afford to let another valuable trade offer slip through his hands.”
Should Pelinka pounce on this Wizards proposal or one similar? A Lakers core of Brogdon, Reaves, LeBron, AD, Valančiūnas, Dalton Knecht, and Rui Hachimura does sound pretty enticing.
Brogdon is in the final year of a two-year, $45 million veteran extension, while Valančiūnas is in the first year of a three-year, $30.3 million deal.
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