Proposed Trade Deal Gives Lakers ‘Polarizing’ $215 Million Star

The Los Angeles Lakers looked like they have everything they need to win more games and make the NBA Finals this season. Well, their current 4-5 record gave analysts a reason to believe that the franchise should add another piece. Eric Pincus from Bleacher Report discussed a potential trade move for the Lakers and it includes Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young.

Trade rumors started a long time ago and it seems like they won’t stop in the near future. The Lakers have been linked to several players and Young is the newest “target”.

The Lakers cannot trade one of their newly-signed players until December 15. If they plan to use Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves as Pincus suggests, they will have to do it in the second half of January.

Pincus’ suggestion sends Young, Bruno Fernando, and Wesley Matthews to Los Angeles. Atlanta would get D’Angelo Russell, Hachimura, Taurean Prince, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and a 2029 first-round pick.

Lakers may not have enough assets to trade for another star

Parting ways with Young would be a big blow for the Hawks as he is one of their key players. There is also a big question mark under Young’s potential role with the Lakers. He is a ball-dominant player who has issues on the defensive end of the ball. According to Pincus, he is a “polarizing player.”

“Young is a polarizing player, capable of great heights, but is a defensive liability and isn’t especially effective without the ball in his hands. That could work with James, Davis and complementary defenders—or it could be a mess.

“He’s also represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, the agent for James and Davis. The Lakers have a history of bringing in Klutch clients, and Young could try to follow in the footsteps of James Harden (who successfully forced his way to the LA Clippers). That’s a big assumption, but Young’s tenure in Atlanta has been on the watch list for some time.”

Young inked a $215 million contract extension in 2021 and has entered the second year of his deal. He is set to earn $176 million in the next four years with the Hawks.

The Lakers cannot offer much as they only have the 2029 first-round pick on the table.

Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN discussed the assets Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka can offer in an eventual trade.

“We documented this last year,” he said. “The Lakers used one of their important (picks), 2027 first-round pick, now they have one first-round pick they can include,” Woj said. “That’s probably not gonna be (enough). … We are very early. I think the idea that the Lakers could make some big wholesale trade may not be realistic. They don’t have enough.”