Five Moves the Lakers could make to become champions NOW!

Without a doubt, the Los Angeles Lakers made a massive move by acquiring Lebron James' talents in this offseason, and while in the past 12 or so years solely having this beast of a basketball player on your team is an almost guarantee to be a championship contender this season already seems to clearly be different.

Not only is James finally out west, but also the dynasty that just added DeMarcus Cousins for a year will have even the fiercest Lakers supporters admitted they’re just too good.

While most of the ‘big fish’ in the free agency pool such as Chris Paul, Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins are out of the question now and with the Lakers seemingly preparing for next years free agency market with a multitude of one year deals, here are the five moves through trade or otherwise that could see the Lakers becoming serious contenders now and arriving to the league in a big way one year early.

5. Kemba Walker

With the Hornets all-star guard moving into his last year of a four year $48 million contract it provides an excellent opportunity for the Lakers to swoop in early and acquire his services for under what he is valued. While most teams would be scared away from gambling on what could very well be a one year rental, if Walker were to decide he wanted elsewhere in a year, it isn’t improbably to believe that if he were traded to the Lakers they would be able to convince him into staying after living in LA for a year and even winning his first playoff series in his entire career.

As Charlotte are clearly heading into a new era this coming season with a change in GM and head coach, Charlotte may miss the playoffs all together as they head into a rebuilding phase over the next few seasons. If they do fail to retain another playoff berth they may risk the chance of seeing there star point guard whom they have built there team around decide to walk away from the club for nothing.

At the age of 28 Kemba Walker is hitting his prime, and realistically, bar miracle work from the Hornets front office, it could be suggested they cannot contend for a championship with their current roster so perhaps a full rebuild is in order, and to start a new dawn a trade for Ball, Hart and some first round future picks could sway the Hornets to give up their star man earlier than first hoped.

4. Zach Lavine

This one might come as a bit of a surprise, as not many see Zach LaVine as the young athletic freak who was ready to take over this league and become one of the best prospects at shooting guard for years to come. And while it can be said that adding LaVine still wouldn’t be enough to overthrow the Warriors in a seven-game series a roster holding, James, LaVine, Ingram, Kuzma, Rondo and a bunch of other pieces would no doubt be a force to be reckoned with for the next season and more.

Although known for his great dunk contest ability, the two-time Slam Dunk champ is a career 37% 3pt shooter and due to his freakish athleticism and length can be more than just a solid defender on the other end when he chooses to be.

It may be a bit of a risk but as there’s no real big market pushing for LaVine’s talent right now a potential one-year test deal for around $10-$14 million is definitely a risk worth taken as if it fails the Lakers are still in great position for next years free agency period and if it succeeds they might just become NBA champions once more.

3. Jimmy Butler

Minnesota Timberwolves v Houston Rockets - Game Five

Jimmy Butler has seemingly made it clear he is unhappy playing for the Timberwolves at this current time. Questioning Wiggins and Towns' work-ethic and their drive to win Butler looks on the way out, and while rumour is he plans to opt-out of his player option next year to join forces with Kyrie Irving at New York, the rumour was this time last year that Paul George would soon become a Laker.

A duo of Butler and LeBron would be a dominate powerhouse in the West, Butler is one of the top two-way players in the entire NBA and his competitive drive to win is unquestionable making him a perfect fit to pair with LeBron James in what may well be his declining years.

Trading for Butler won't come cheap though, a package lead by Brandon Ingram, who would potentially lose out on his starting position with the arrival of Butler and Lebron, along with a few more of the assets Lakers hold could be the only way to pry Butler away from Minnesota this off-season

2. Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers v New Orleans Pelicans - Game Four

We've seen what can happen when LeBron teams up with an incredible offensive talent at the point guard position, winning a title with Kyrie in 2016 and potentially could have won two if not for Kyrie getting injured during the Cavs 2015 playoff run.

The team that the Portland Trail Blazers currently have seemingly has little room for where they can improve to a legitimate championship contender. Lillard will be turning 28 before the start of the new season he isn't getting any younger, but his window to win a championship with Portland, if there even is one at this stage, is getting smaller and smaller each passing season. With a trade deal most likely involving Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, it gives a nice complement to CJ McCollum with Ball's 'pass first' mentality and in Ingram they will pick up one of the brightest talents in the league.

Lillard would also be able to fit into the LeBron system with ease, his pick and roll play with Ed Davis was a great asset to Portland last season so teaming up with LeBron would be a dream combo for Lillard. Not only that but the increased amount of pressure on Lillard to produce last season in the playoffs looked as though it was a large reason they got swept by the Pelicans, being the second man with LeBron always being the focal point of the team can only help Lillard relax his play in big moments leading to increased production.

This trade looks like it could provide huge benefit to all three parties involved, whether or not it will happen we'll wait and see.

1. Kawhi Leonard

This trade most likely will not materialise, there is multiple reasons as to why it would be better to wait an extra season and take the risk to take on the chance of signing Kawhi in free agency next year when his contract expires.

Although, if they were to trade for Kawhi, giving up their young core of Ball, Ingram and Kuzma, a team with two of the best five players in the NBA without a doubt would become a serious contender to win a championship in the 2018-19 season. The past year has made it easy to forget that Kawhi Leonard was, along with James, by far the best two-way player in the league and when healthy finished top three in back-to-back years in the MVP voting.

It would be amazing to see these two transcendent talents teaming up to take on the Warriors it what would be an epic Western Conference Finals, we may have to wait one more year to see.