LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 16 (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
NBA Trades: 5 quality targets for the Los Angeles Lakers — Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz
After trading away Royce O’Neale and Rudy Gobert, the Utah Jazz appear to be in full-on sell mode this offseason. Rumors continue to swirl that they may trade franchise star Donovan Mitchell, but there is no chance that he will end up on the Los Angeles Lakers anytime soon. However, Utah has made essentially their entire roster available in trades, and as mentioned in the previous report by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, one Jazz player that could be an option for L.A. is Bojan Bogdanovic.
Without question, Bogdanovic would be a great fit with the Lakers as currently constructed due to his skills offensively. Over the past three seasons with Utah, the veteran has been outstanding by averaging 18.4 points while shooting 39.7 percent from 3-point land on 6.8 attempts per contest. Numbers like that would make Bogdanovic a perfect fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, giving the pair a perfect complementary piece that can space the floor and generate offense. That would alleviate pressure off of those two stars, which would help the team out considerably.
Financially, Bogdanovic is set to make an expiring $19.3 million next season, which means that it would take a sizeable trade to get him to L.A. Scotto reported that there have been talks involving Los Angeles, Utah, and New York that would involve Russell Westbrook and his $47 million salary for next season going to Salt Lake City, which could help the Lakers net Bogdanovic, among other pieces. If those talks progress, it would not be surprising to see Bogdanovic land in LA.
Los Angeles</a> Lakers have been featured in no shortage of NBA trade rumors this offseason.</p>
<p>At this point, the team is still exploring avenues to try and trade Russell Westbrook after he and the Lakers failed to mesh last season. Of course, they have had no luck thus far, but rumors have started to heat up in the past few days as it feels like a deal may be gaining steam. As the purple and gold look to retool their roster via trade ahead of next season, here are five targets they must have on their radar.</p>
<h2>NBA Trades: 5 quality targets for the Los Angeles Lakers — Cam Reddish, New York Knicks</h2>
<p>The first former Duke product on this list that the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have their eye on is Cam Reddish. According to HoopsHype’s <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumors-donovan-mitchell-russell-westbrook-myles-turner-houston-rockets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto</a>, the Lakers have had interest in adding the 22-year-old swingman since last season, and their stance remains unchanged. L.A.’s rumored interest in acquiring Reddish is beyond justifiable for a handful of reasons.</p>
<p>First off, the Lakers have rightfully prioritized adding youth this offseason after they had an aging roster last season. With names like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"http://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/05/lonnie-walker-big-gamble-los-angeles-lakers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lonnie Walker IV</a> and Thomas Bryant joining the mix, the front office has done a solid job adding some youngsters to the fold, and trading for Reddish would be a quality move in that regard as well. The 22-year-old still has plenty of room to develop and would make a fine addition to the Lakers as they stockpile younger players.</p>
<p>On the floor, Reddish could be a great addition to L.A.’s wing rotation. Offensively, there have been some bumps in the road throughout Reddish’s young career, but he has shown signs of promise as a scorer by averaging double-digit points in all three years he has played. He also showed growth as a long-range shooter last season, having shot a career-high 35.9 percent from long distance on 3.8 attempts per game. Defensively, the 6-foot-8 wing would be an excellent addition, giving head coach Darvin Ham a lengthy defender that can guard multiple positions.</p>
<p>To acquire Reddish, the Lakers would have to absorb his $6 million salary for next season, which is doable. While he would not be a game-changing addition, Reddish would be an interesting piece to the puzzle as the Lakers look to bounce back next season, so their interest in him is viable.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-447337 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1371161570.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers: Trevor Ariza, Utah Jazz: Bojan Bogdanovic" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1371161570.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1371161570-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 16 (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Trades: 5 quality targets for the Los Angeles Lakers — Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz</h2>
<p>After trading away Royce O’Neale and Rudy Gobert, the Utah Jazz appear to be in full-on sell mode this offseason. Rumors continue to swirl that they may trade franchise star <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"http://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/13/nba-trades-donovan-mitchell-utah-jazz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donovan Mitchell</a>, but there is no chance that he will end up on the Los Angeles Lakers anytime soon. However, Utah has made essentially their entire roster available in trades, and as mentioned in the previous report by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, one Jazz player that could be an option for L.A. is Bojan Bogdanovic.</p>
<p>Without question, Bogdanovic would be a great fit with the Lakers as currently constructed due to his skills offensively. Over the past three seasons with Utah, the veteran has been outstanding by averaging 18.4 points while shooting 39.7 percent from 3-point land on 6.8 attempts per contest. Numbers like that would make Bogdanovic a perfect fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, giving the pair a perfect complementary piece that can space the floor and generate offense. That would alleviate pressure off of those two stars, which would help the team out considerably.</p>
<p>Financially, Bogdanovic is set to make an expiring $19.3 million next season, which means that it would take a sizeable trade to get him to L.A. Scotto reported that there have been talks involving Los Angeles, Utah, and New York that would involve Russell Westbrook and his $47 million salary for next season going to Salt Lake City, which could help the Lakers net Bogdanovic, among other pieces. If those talks progress, it would not be surprising to see Bogdanovic land in LA.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-447339 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1362953361.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James, Minnesota Timberwolves: Nathan Knight, Patrick Beverley" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1362953361.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1362953361-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 02 (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Trades: 5 quality targets for the Los Angeles Lakers — Patrick Beverley, Utah Jazz</h2>
<p>Sticking with current members of the Utah Jazz, Patrick Beverley could be an interesting target for the Los Angeles Lakers. According to Bleacher Report’s <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10041885-inside-the-trade-market-for-utah-jazz-star-donovan-mitchell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jake Fischer</a>, the Lakers do have interest in acquiring the 34-year-old veteran after he was dealt to Utah in the massive blockbuster involving the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this offseason. It seems inevitable that Beverley will be on the move in the next few months before the season and the Lakers would be a reasonable suitor.</p>
<p>Beverley’s calling card throughout his career has been his tenacious defense, and the Lakers could benefit from adding someone of his caliber. Los Angeles struggled last season largely due to their poor defensive efforts, and a three-time All-Defensive honoree like Beverley could certainly come in and try to provide some assistance. New head coach Darvin Ham recently said on an episode of “All the Smoke” that he wants LA to become a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7TZetnNDh0%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">“defensive-minded team.”</a> Adding Beverley to the equation would undeniably help in that regard. On top of that, he is a strong shooter, burying a respectable 37.8 percent of his career 3-pointers.</p>
<p>The point guard will make an expiring $13 million next season, which is a digestible amount for L.A. as they look to retool. If the trade talks with the Jazz continue to pick up some speed, it would not be surprising to see Beverley make his way to the Lakers over these next few months. Beverley is a player that fans either love or hate, and while most Laker fans would likely lean toward the latter right now, that could certainly change if Beverley were to help the team bounce back next year.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 4 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-447341 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1365321063.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers: Malik Monk, Utah Jazz: Mike Conley" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1365321063.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1365321063-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 17 (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Trades: 5 quality targets for the Los Angeles Lakers — Mike Conley, Utah Jazz</h2>
<p>The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in their current predicament because Russell Westbrook simply was not a great fit at the point guard position. If they are able to trade him, they must seek a better fit at the position, which they could do by targeting Mike Conley. With the Utah Jazz trying to shake things up, they will likely look to deal the 34-year-old elsewhere, and Los Angeles would be wise to kick the tires on him in trade discussions.</p>
<p>While he is not the player he once was, Conley, who was an All-Star a year ago, has been solid as Utah’s floor general over the last three years by averaging 14.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Offensively, he would be a great fit for this team, giving them another capable player to handle the basketball that can orchestrate the offense and make shots. The guard has been one of Utah’s most reliable long-range shooters in that timeframe by hitting 40.1 percent of his triples as well. Defensively, the former All-Defensive honoree has always been a pest on that end of things, and he would bring some intensity to the Lakers.</p>
<p>Conely is currently on the books for $22.8 million next season, which means he could be a player involved in any Westbrook to Utah deal. Acquiring the 34-year-old would be a great move for the Lakers, giving them a new point guard that fits in better with its star players in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They would certainly be a strong Big 3, and the Lakers should give it some genuine thought as these rumored trade talks with the Jazz continue to take place.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-446206 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1197609487.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James, Brooklyn Nets: Kyrie Irving" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1197609487.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1197609487-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 23 (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Trades: 5 quality targets for the Los Angeles Lakers — Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets</h2>
<p>The big fish that the Los Angeles Lakers have been pursuing this offseason is Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets. According to The Athletic’s <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"https://theathletic.com/3384393/2022/06/27/kevin-durant-nets-kyrie-irving/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alex Schiffer, Sam Amick, and Joe Vardon</a> (subscription required), some believe that Irving is even trying to force his way to Los Angeles. Though it does not seem like the Lakers and Nets are currently lodged in legitimate conversations, seeing Irving land in Los Angeles this offseason would be a dream for the purple and gold.</p>
<p>There is no denying that Irving is one of the best point guards currently in the business and that he would make the Lakers more formidable on impact. He would be a perfect fit at point guard, giving the Lakers a player that can put up points and make highlight plays every trip down the floor. Not to mention that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/nba-trades-targets-los-angeles-lakers/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/">Irving also has previously-established chemistry with LeBron James</a>, as the two won a championship together with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. Irving, James, and Davis would be among the NBA’s best leading trios and would certainly compete for a title next season.</p>
<p>Financially, Irving will make $36.5 million next season, meaning he would have to be brought back to L.A. in a blockbuster deal involving Russell Westbrook. However, those talks have stalled for the time being as it seems like the Lakers do not want to cough up significant draft capital for Irving. Both Los Angeles and Brooklyn seem dug in on their trade stances surrounding Irving right now, and only time will tell how things transpire.</p>
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<p>Yet, if one thing is for certain, it is that the Lakers must make a push to get Irving before the 2022-23 NBA season begins.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">