NBA 18/19: 3 Players the Lakers should target this month

The Los Angeles Lakers have managed to recover from a slow start to the season, and following their win over the Miami Heat, Luke Walton's men now sit fifth in the Western Conference standings.

LeBron James' individual performances have been the driving factor behind the Lakers fine form, although most NBA analysts believe that the team needs at least one more addition, in order to compete with the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors in the postseason.

The Los Angeles franchise is known to be gearing up to make a big move for a free agent such as Anthony Davis or Kawhi Leonard in the summer, although that has not stopped them from being linked to a number of stars this month. The Lakers have the assets to get trades done, so here are three players that the Lakers could trade in the coming weeks.

#3 Bradley Beal

The Washington Wizards are reportedly willing to let All-Star Bradley Beal leave the team

Bradley Beal has spent his entire career with the Washington Wizards, after being drafted by the team six years ago. The Wizards have spent years building around Beal and their other All-Star, John Wall, although the team has never managed to make a serious Championship challenge with the All-Star duo.

Bradley Beal is still only 25, and the guard is widely seen as more of a complementary player than his ball-dominant teammate, John Wall. The playoffs seem like a big ask for the Wizards this season, and reports have claimed that the team is looking to offload both Beal and Wall.

The Lakers can add Beal this season, while also pursuing an All-Star free agent in 2019. A trade makes sense, as there are not many players available in the NBA that are averaging 22.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.

#2 Nikola Vucevic

The Orlando Magic may look to trade away their experienced center

The Los Angeles Lakers have added depth to the center position this season, with the additions of JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler. While McGee has been excellent this season, his production of 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds is dwarfed when compared to the league's best centers such as Anthony Davis, Steven Adams, and Joel Embiid.

The Lakers have the trade assets and cap space to make a big upgrade on McGee, and the Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic, could be available for trade this month. The 28-year-old is having the best season of his career, averaging 20.6 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, and the Magic know that the center will eventually have to make way for their recent draft pick, Mohamed Bamba. Vucevic would give the Lakers a dominant scoring force in the paint, and the impressive McGee could still play big minutes from the bench.

#1 Trevor Ariza

The Phoenix Suns are looking to get rid of Trevor Ariza

The Lakers look as though they are set to pull off a deal for Ariza, and he is exactly the type of player that the team has been crying out for. The veteran forward is excellent on both ends, and Ariza's ability to contest shots will give a big boost to a Lakers team that are giving up too many points.

On the offensive end, Ariza should prove to be a valuable catch-and-shoot threat. No one on the Lakers roster except Rajon Rondo has a better three-point percentage when compared to Ariza's final year in Houston, and the Lakers will expect him to play a similar role in Los Angeles.

The 33-year-old is also a former Lakers player, and he even played an important role in the team's 2009 NBA Finals win against the Orlando Magic. Ariza only has a one-year contract, and if no All-Stars are available, the veteran will be a great fit until the summer.