Lakers Rumors: Insider Poses List of “Non-Star” Trade Targets

The Lakers essentially have two ways to build the roster: trade for a third star or make smaller, more reasonable improvements to the secondary. On a recent episode of “Buha’s Block”Jovan Buha of The Athletic answered a question he was asking “non-star trade targets” the Lakers could pursue. His roster contains names Laker fans are very familiar with.

Lakers Rumors: Insider Poses List of “Non-Star” Trade Targets

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The surrounding discussion top role players it just happens to come at a perfect time. LeBron James discussed that exact topic with JJ Redick on a episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast.:

“If there are teams here looking to see how to be successful, you obviously have to have a star. You have to have one, possibly two, to make sure everyone stays restless. But at the end of the day, you gotta have those soldiers around, man. You’ve got to have the consigliere and the capos and the rest of those guys ready to go, man. And that’s what we’re seeing in the Final Four right now in the NBA.“

Before revealing his roster, Buha cautioned that trade options for high-quality role players are “scarce”:

“Looking around the league right now, you can only get five to eight potential sellers right now, where the rest of the league is going… There just aren’t a lot of sellers right now, and that makes it complicated. little commercial market. Outside of big stars and teams that really shake things up, a lot of those teams aren’t willing to give up a good 3&D guard or 3&D wing or starting caliber big man.”

Still, he offered a promising list of guards and wings the Lakers could target to bolster their team around LeBron and Anthony Davis.

Buha’s list of “Non-Star” trade targets.

Kyle Kuzma

Former Laker Kyle Kuzma has flourished since joining the Washington Wizards. The 28-year-old just had a career year in the nation’s capital. In 70 games, Kuz averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 46 percent from the field and 33 percent from deep. He quickly rose to be the team’s number one option, especially after they moved from Bradley Beal last summer.

📊 @kylekuzma finished the season as one of ten NBA players with the average:
🔹 22.0+ PPG
🔹 6.0+ RPG
🔹 4.0+ APG pic.twitter.com/3OOTOUvI1m

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) May 30, 2024

However, despite its promising growth, Kuzma is in the commercial block again. The 6’9” combo forward has already proven his worth as a scorer. Many agree he would continue to shine in a better situation, where his team is competing in the playoffs instead of the lottery. Seeing Kuz thrive — albeit for a struggling Wizards team — has made some Lakers fans regret the trade that sent him there in the first place. There are many divided on whether the two sides should reunite.

Jeremy Grant

Jeremy Grant is one of two players the Lakers were previously interested in—most recently at this season’s trade deadline. In 54 games with the Blazers – his fifth team in eight years – Grant averaged 21 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He shot 45% from the field, 40% from three and 81% from the charity stripe.

The veteran 6’8″ wing has been an offensive generator for a young, rebuilding Blazers team. Grant also signed a five-year, $160 million contract last season. He has plenty of skills that contenders want, boasting a second straight year of shooting 40 percent from three. He also put up numbers similar to his 2020-21 season with Detroit, when he was second in Most Improved Player voting. Despite those positives, however, teams may not be willing to address Grant’s enormous contract, leading to questions about whether he could be stuck in Pacific Northwest purgatory.

Malcolm Brogdon

Buha views Malcolm Brogdon— another longtime Lakers target — as a potential replacement for D’Angelo Russell if he moves further from LA. Another Blazer veteran who made it back in the rebuild, Brogdon averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 41 percent from long range. However, he played in just 39 games (including 25 starts) before Portland cut him in February due to tendinitis of the right elbow—a problem stemming from his lone season with Celts.

In January, Brogdon told The Athletic that he’s “happy in Portland” and feels “appreciated in this leadership/lead guard role.” Considering Portlandhis current trajectory and their continued need for vets, it makes sense for Brogdon to stay. However, he has one year and $22.5 million left on his contract. Thus, other teams may be more inclined to trade for him – especially those in need of a veteran reliever.

De’Andre Hunter

Rounding out Buha’s roster is the Hawks forward De’Andre Hunterwhose nightly story project actually involved the Lakers. LA drafted him fourth overall in 2019but the pick was controlled by the Pelicans — who then sent it to the Hawks on draft day. Hunter has since carved out a nice role for himself in “The A.” In 57 games (37 starts) for Atlanta this season, the 26-year-old wing is averaging 15.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.7 steals on .459 shooting. /.385/.847.

Still, rivals “expect” him to become Hunter available on the commercial market, according to HoopsHype. It’s one of several moves GM Landry Fields could make as Atlanta heads into a critical offseason — between possibly moving from Trae Young–Goodbye Murray pair, selecting a franchise cornerstone at no. 1 overall and saying goodbye to other key players. Hunter was a consistent 3&D presence on the wing for the Hawks. There’s no doubt he could raise his game if he joins a current contender. However, his health will be critical to any future success. Hunter has yet to play at least 70 games in a year, with a career high of 67 (all starts) in his 2022-23 campaign. He once missed over a month with knee inflammation, but returned just in time to play—you guessed it—the Lakers.

The last word; What “non-star” should the Lakers trade for?

Of those four options, the Lakers should seriously consider either reuniting with Kuzma or pursuing Hunter.

While Kuz’s three-point percentage has taken a hit recently, the Lakers have missed his two-way skills as a fluid 6’9″ wing. His familiarity with several members of the squad is certainly an added bonus and he could settle in immediately if given the right opportunities. Going back to the third option may not be ideal, but at least Kuz would help LA get closer to another title.

De’Andre Hunter, who is coming off his best season at just 26 years old, is another target worth keeping an eye on. His 38.5 percent from three was another career high next to his scoring average. It’s already used to supporting Atlanta stars and would have similar – if not more – chances with LA. Hunter is a young wing with a lot of potential. But his talents will only be maximized if he stays healthy throughout the regular season and beyond.

“But what does Deandre Hunter do better than Rui Hachimura?”

Well, for one, he can stay competent with Kyrie Irving.

Do the Lakers want to be taller, longer, more physical and defensive?

Hunter is an underrated trade target that shouldn’t break the bank. pic.twitter.com/FLiqyZdKWM

— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) May 5, 2024

Trading for any of these players would likely require giving up Rui Hachimura as the centerpiece of any deal. While the young forward isn’t officially on the table, that could change with Rob Pelinka’s desire to improve and Rui’s $17 million salary next year. It will also depend on whether the Lakers see the aforementioned names, among others, as upgrades over the 26-year-old.