Insider Names 5 Potential Trade Partners As Lakers Eye ‘Fire Sale’ Teams

The Los Angeles Lakers have yet to make an official request, but NBA insiders have linked the franchise to multiple trade partners. The Lakers look good now and have been winning games with ease. However, they can definitely use a boost on both ends of the ball.

Lakers players do wonders in the In-Season Tournament. LeBron James and his teammates defeated the Phoenix Suns in the quarterfinal game last night. The squad can win games, but Rob Pelinka is probably eyeing his options for the future, per Jovan Buha from The Athletic.

“The Lakers plan to take a patient approach to the trade market,” wrote Buha on December 2. “They’re still evaluating their needs and will continue to monitor the league, including potential fire sales in Toronto, Washington, Utah, Brooklyn and/or Charlotte that could make useful rotation players available.”

If Pelinka decides to go after a top name, he will have to send his tradeable players away. Most of these guys are eligible for a trade on December 15.

“There’s always a chance they strike a move before the February deadline — similar to acquiring Hachimura a couple of weeks before last season’s,” Buha added. “But a trade is far more likely to come later in the trading window than sooner.”

Lakers could match with multiple trade partners

Buha has already discussed the Lakers’ plan to get Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls. Getting Caruso makes perfect sense for the Lakers. He was on their roster inside the NBA bubble and got his ring. Letting him go was probably the biggest mistake in recent franchise history.

The Lakers will have to beat serious competitors for most trade candidates. The Nets could offer Mikal Bridges, but Pelinka will have to sacrifice a big chunk of his roster to get him.

Doe Doe denial 🚫 pic.twitter.com/xwqsOX9LVo

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 1, 2023

Pascal Siakam is another top target. He is on his final year of the contract and Darvin Ham would find a versatile player in him.