The Lakers essentially have two ways of going about roster construction: trading for a third star or making smaller, more reasonable improvements to the supporting cast. On a recent episode of “Buha’s Block”, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha responded to a question asking for “non star trade targets” the Lakers could go after. His list features names Laker fans are very familiar with.
Lakers Rumors: Insider Poses List of “Non-Star” Trade Targets
Background
The discussion around top-tier role players coincidentally comes at a perfect time. LeBron James discussed that exact topic with JJ Redick on an episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast:
“If there’s teams out here looking to see how to be successful, obviously you gotta have a star. You gotta have one, possibly two, that’s gonna make sure that everybody stays even-keeled. But at the end of the day, you gotta have those soldiers around, man. You gotta have the consiglieres and the capos and the rest of those guys that’s gonna be ready to go, man. And that’s what we see at the final four right now in the NBA.”
Before revealing his list, Buha cautioned that the trade options for high-quality role players are “scarce”:
“Looking around the league right now, you can talk yourself into as few as five to eight potential sellers right now, where the rest of the league is going for it…There just aren’t a lot of sellers right now, and that complicates the trade market a bit. Outside of the big name stars and the teams who are really shaking things up, a lot of these teams aren’t willing to give up a good 3&D guard or 3&D wing, or a starting-caliber big man.”
Still, he offered up a promising list of guards and wings who the Lakers could target to boost their team around LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Buha’s List of “Non-Star” Trade Targets
Kyle Kuzma
Former Laker Kyle Kuzma has flourished ever 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% from the field and 33% from deep. He quickly ascended to being the team’s number one option, especially after they moved on from Bradley Beal last summer.
@kylekuzma finished the season as one of ten NBA players averaging:
22.0+ PPG
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) May 30, 2024
However, despite his promising growth, Kuzma is reportedly on the trade block again. The 6’9” combo forward has already proven his worth as a scorer. Many agree he’d continue to shine in a better situation, where his team competes 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. Many are divided over whether the two sides should reunite.
Jerami Grant
Jerami Grant is one of two players that the Lakers were previously interested in—most recently at this season’s trade deadline. Across 54 games with the Blazers—his fifth team in eight years—Grant put up 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 squad. Grant also signed a five-year, $160 million contract last offseason. He holds plenty of skills that contenders desire, boasting a second-straight year where he shot 40% from three. He also put up numbers akin to the 2020-21 season with Detroit, when he was the runner-up in Most Improved Player voting. Despite those positives, however, teams may not be willing to tackle Grant’s enormous contract, leading to questions of whether he could be stuck in the purgatory of the Pacific Northwest.
Malcolm Brogdon
Buha views Malcolm Brogdon—another longtime Lakers target—as a potential replacement for D’Angelo Russell if he moves on from LA. Another veteran Blazer who has stuck it out in the rebuild, Brogdon averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 44% from the field and 41% from distance. However, he only played 39 games (including 25 starts) before Portland shut him down in February due to right elbow tendinitis—an issue that stems from his lone season with the Celtics.
Back in January, Brogdon told The Athletic that he’s “happy in Portland” and feels “valued in this leadership/lead-guard role.” Considering Portland’s current trajectory and their continuous need for vets, it makes sense for Brogdon to stick around. However, he also 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 facilitator.
De’Andre Hunter
Rounding out Buha’s list is Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter, whose draft night story actually involved the Lakers. LA selected him fourth overall in 2019, but 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 averaged 15.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.7 steals on .459/.385/.847 splits.
Still, rivals are “expecting” Hunter to become available on the trade market, according to HoopsHype. It’s one of many moves GM Landry Fields could make as Atlanta enters a critical offseason—between possibly moving on from the Trae Young–Dejounte Murray pairing, selecting a franchise cornerstone at no. 1 overall, and bidding farewell to other key players. Hunter has been a steady 3&D presence on the wing for the Hawks. There’s no doubt he could elevate 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 his career-high in games being 67 (all starts) in his 2022-23 campaign. He once missed over a month with a knee inflammation, but returned just in time to play—you guessed it—the Lakers.
The Last Word; Which “Non-Star” Should the Lakers Trade For?
Of these four options, the Lakers should seriously consider either a reunion with Kuzma or going after Hunter.
While Kuz’s three-point percentage has recently taken a hit, the Lakers have missed his two-way skills as a fluid 6’9″ wing. His familiarity with several members of the team is certainly an added bonus, and he could settle right back in if given the proper opportunities. Going back to being a third option may not be ideal, but at least Kuz would help LA get closer to another title run.
De’Andre Hunter, who is coming off of his best season at just 26 years old, is another target worth pursuing. His 38.5% mark from three was another career-high next to his scoring average. He is already used to supporting Atlanta’s stars, and he would have similar chances—if not more—with LA. Hunter is a young wing with plenty of potential. But, his talents will only be maximized if he remains healthy throughout the regular season and beyond.
“But what does Deandre Hunter even do better than Rui Hachimura?”
Well, for one- he can competently stick with Kyrie Irving.
Lakers want to get Taller, Longer, More Physical, and Defensive?
Hunter’s an underrated trade target who shouldn’t break the bank. pic.twitter.com/FLiqyZdKWM
— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) May 5, 2024
Trading for either of these players would likely require giving up Rui Hachimura as a centerpiece of any deal. While the young forward is not 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 if the Lakers see the aforementioned names, among others, as upgrades over the 26-year-old.
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