Training camp has begun for the Los Angeles Lakers following a lackluster offseason. However, they have the opportunity to improve their roster before the trade deadline on February 6, 2025.
Eric Pincus from Bleacher Report presented an interesting trade idea aimed at enhancing the team. His proposal involves trading for Jonas Valanciunas, along with Malc.
In a potential three-team trade involving the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, the Lakers would acquire Jevon Carter, Jonas Valančiūnas, and Malcolm Brogdon.
The Wizards would receive D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Christian Wood, Cam Reddish, and a protected 2029 first-round pick (top five protected).
Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Johnny Davis would head to the Bulls.
The Lakers and Russell have had a complicated relationship. Eric Pincus noted on October 4 that Russell’s return to Los Angeles helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals in 2023. However, his shooting struggles in the postseason have led the Lakers to focus on enhancing their defensive options at his position.
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.
