Training camp was underway for the Los Angeles Lakers as they concluded an ineffective offseason. The Lakers could still strengthen their squad up until the trade deadline of February 6, 2025, though, as they will be able to make trades until then.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus made an intriguing trade suggestion to assist them in doing so. His trade proposal would send Jonas Valanciunas, Malc
olm Brogdon, and more in a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards for a huge haul.
Lakers would receive: Jevon Carter, Valančiūnas, and Brogdon.
D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Christian Wood, Cam Reddish, and a 2024 first-round pick (protected in the top five) are what the Wizards would receive.
Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Johnny Davis would go to the Bulls.
The Lakers and Russell have a tense and lengthy relationship. Pincus stated on October 4 that the team’s return to the Western Conference Finals was made possible by the 2024 trade that sent him back to Los Angeles, where he played for his first two seasons. However, Russell’s strongest suit—shooting—hasn’t translated well into the postseason, so the Lakers have aimed to strengthen their defense at the spot.
Brogdon is a better defensive player than Russell and a career 39.1% three-point shooter. He’s struggled to stay on the court consistently over his career, but that’s why the Lakers would be able to get him for what they’re giving up. By aggregating contracts, the Lakers would have a hard cap at the second level ($188.9 million), which would require the departure of numerous players, including Vincent, Reddish, Wood, and Hood-Schifino. To reach the necessary 14, Los Angeles must also add a player via free agency to a pro-rated minimum contract paying no more than roughly $900,00.
