The Los Angeles Lakers, amid a 7-4 start, have been included in their fair share of NBA trade rumors. They rank 25th in the NBA with a 117.0 defensive rating and have been linked to several centers to bolster their frontcourt behind Anthony Davis.
While the Lakers and Atlanta Hawks have already been linked, in both the frontcourt and the backcourt, adding Clint Capela or Trae Young would do very little for their defensive efforts. Instead, the Lakers should set their sights on a rising star: Dyson Daniels, who is leading the NBA with 3.6 steals per game.
Daniels has proven himself to be capable on offense, averaging 14.3 points per game this season, but he lacks shooting range. Defense has become his calling card, and he has played so well on that end to start the season that the Hawks might not even want to deal him away. After all, he is an All-Defensive candidate at only 21 years old.
However, his value is at an all-time high, and it’s unlikely that he will add enough to his offense to become truly elite. The Hawks, assuming they decide to rebuild, could cash in on Daniels while his value is at its highest, and the Lakers, desperate to win a title with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, could make a deal.
By sending Max Christie, a 2025 second-round pick (via Los Angeles Clippers) and first-round picks in 2029 and 2031, the Lakers could fix their defensive problems while not breaking the bank for a more expensive veteran. Two unprotected picks are a king’s ransom in the NBA, and the Hawks are strapped for draft capital, so striking while the iron is hot would be a good way for them to reset and rebuild around Jalen Johnson, Trae Young and Zaccharie Risacher.
More NBA: Lakers could target castaway Magic guard to bolster defense amid NBA trade rumors
