Los Angeles Lakers
What to watch: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, DeAndre Jordan, the 2027 first-round pick.
The Russell Westbrook trade in the offseason proved that as long as LeBron James is on the roster, the Lakers will always be a win-now team.
The downside, however, is that the Lakers have backed themselves into a corner on how this team can improve.
If you remove James (untouchable), Anthony Davis (there have been no discussions about moving him) and Westbrook (there is no realistic deal for him that would upgrade the roster) off the trade table, that leaves the Lakers with two assets other teams might want in a trade: Horton-Tucker and their 2027 first-round pick. Because of his $5 million salary, Nunn could be added to the group, but the guard has not stepped on the court this season and has a player option for 2022-23.
Horton-Tucker and Nunn combine to earn $14.5 million, which means the maximum that the Lakers can receive in a trade for the duo is $18.2 million, which is not enough for a player like the Pistons' Jerami Grant unless a player on a minimum contract is included.
Knowing that a 42-year-old James will likely not be on the roster in 2026-27 (and Davis can become a free agent before then as well), the big question is if the front office would entertain moving a 2027 first-round pick, especially since it'd likely have to keep the pick unprotected to bring anything of value back. Since James entered the league in 2003, his teams (Cleveland, Miami and the Lakers) have traded 15 first-round picks in separate deals.
The Lakers created a roster spot with the Rajon Rondo trade and can explore opening up another one if a team is willing to take back DeAndre Jordan. Waiving Jordan is less desirable because of the luxury tax impact. The Lakers can attach cash (they have up to $5.5 million available) or a second-round pick to entice a team to take on Jordan's salary.
Front-office deadline history: In his third year of running the Lakers' front office, Rob Pelinka has not made a trade during the regular season.
Trade we would like to see: Sorry, Lakers fans, it is a minor one. Jordan and $1 million to Orlando for the draft rights of Janis Timma.
Restrictions/notes
The Lakers are $18.6 million over the tax and have a projected penalty of $40.5 million.
The Lakers sent a combined $1.35 million to Memphis and New York in two separate trades. They now have $4.4 million to send out in a trade.
James and Davis each have a 15% trade bonus. The bonus is voided because it would exceed the maximum salary allowed.
The Lakers owe New Orleans or Memphis a first-round pick in 2022. The Pelicans get it if it falls in the top 10; otherwise, it goes to the Grizzlies. In addition, the Pelicans have the right to swap first-round picks in 2023. They also have the Lakers' first-round pick in 2024 and have the right to defer that pick to 2025. The earliest that the Lakers can trade a first is two years after the pick in 2024 or 2025 is conveyed.
. Russ is owed a lot of money Ranadive probably thinks I can get 10 players for the price of Russ lol
