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The LA Lakers have have been linked with a few NBA Trade Rumors that will strengthen their squad next season.
The Lakers have two of the top-five players in the NBA, who are ably assisted by a very decent supporting cast. LeBron James and Anthony Davis will try their level best to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship. But regardless of how the ongoing season may turn out, the LA Lakers will head into the 2020-21 season with the same aim - to win the title.
What the LA Lakers primarily need is a reliable scorer besides LeBron James and Anthony Davis, preferably a guard to either start or come off the bench. It will be difficult to trade for a player given the lack of assets the LA Lakers have to work with. But there have been a few NBA Trade Rumors linking them with some pretty solid options.
On that note, let's take a look at the five players LA Lakers must target this off-season.
NBA Trade Rumors: Dennis Smith Jr. could propel his growth with the LA Lakers
Career PPG - 12.5
Career RPG - 3.2
Career APG - 4.5
Career 3pt FGP - 31.4%
Career FGP - 40%.
Dennis Smith Jr. was once one of the most promising young players in the NBA and was a member of the 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie team. He's still only 22 and has a burst of speed in him that is difficult to defend against. However, his growth has taken a tragic hit since leaving the Dallas Mavericks for the New York Knicks.
He had by far the worst season of his career this season with the Knicks, so they might be willing to let him leave for cheap. The LA Lakers could take a chance on a player who averaged over 15 points per game as a rookie.
Also Read: NBA News Update: Damian Lillard reacts after Michael Porter Jr. takes a dig at Mike Malone, Skip Bayless taunts LeBron James and LA Lakers.
NBA Trade Rumors: Spencer Dinwiddie guarantees buckets off the bench for the LA Lakers
Career PPG - 12.9
Career RPG - 2.3
Career APG - 5.0
Career 3pt FGP - 31.8%
Career FGP - 41%.
The Brooklyn Nets may be willing to pay heed to offers for star guy Spencer Dinwiddie who had his best scoring season this term. Dinwiddie only has one year remaining on his contract and will most definitely be rejecting his player option in 2021.
The LA Lakers could swoop in and steal the services of a player who not only scored over 20 points per game in 2019-20 but also provided almost seven assists in the process.
Spencer Dinwiddie is an elite option to have off the bench, both as a scorer and as a facilitator. He has been a part of many NBA Trade Rumors about being shipped to various teams, so the LA Lakers will likely need to fend off competition.
NBA Trade Rumours: Bogdan Bogdanovic could help the LA Lakers in multiple ways
Career PPG - 13.5
Career RPG - 3.2
Career APG - 3.5
Career 3pt FGP - 37.4%
Career FGP - 43.4%.
The LA Lakers were seriously interested in acquiring Bogdan Bogdanovic this season, and it would have been a great move for the purple and gold. The Serbian can shoot lights out from the 3-point range when he heats up, and while he isn't a great defender, his 6'6" frame allows him to guard multiple positions.
Bogdanovic's decent ball-handling and playmaking qualities only add to his value. He has a qualifying offer of a little over $10 million at the end of this season. Perhaps, the LA Lakers should call the Sacramento Kings again to restart trade talks involving Bogdanovic.
NBA Trade Rumours: Buddy Hield could be the LA Lakers' 3-point specialist
Career PPG - 15.9
Career RPG - 4.2
Career APG - 2.2
Career 3pt FGP - 41.1%
Career FGP - 44.1%.
Buddy Hield is one of the best shooters in the NBA and one of the select few players with a career 3-point field goal tally of over 40%. The reigning 3-point contest champion averaged a solid 19.2 points per game in the 2019-20 season but finds himself out of the starting-five as things stand.
He received a hefty contract extension that will see him earn $94 million through the next four years. Whether the Sacramento Kings really want to allocate that kind of cap space to a bench player is debatable, and as a result he could well be on the trade block. The LA Lakers should keep an eye out for Buddy Hield.
NBA Trade Rumours: Derrick Rose could continue his comeback with the LA Lakers
Career PPG - 18.8
Career RPG - 3.4
Career APG - 5.6
Career 3pt FGP - 30.4%
Career FGP - 45.6%.
Derrick Rose is the youngest MVP in the history of the NBA. But there was genuine skepticism regarding his ability to return to the league as one of its star players since an infamous ACL injury seemed to derail his promising career. Now aged almost 32, Derrick Rose is back playing incredible basketball once again.
Rose followed up his inspiring Minnesota Timberwolves stint with an even better one with the Detroit Pistons this season where he scored 18.1 points per game - the most he has mustered since the aforementioned injury.
The LA Lakers have been linked heavily with bringing Rose to Los Angeles, and it would be an excellent move if they manage to pull it off.
Rose is on a $7.7 million deal for the 2020-21 season and has provided a lot more value than that figure may command. He was very effective off the bench for the Pistons and Timberwolves and could do much the same for an LA Lakers team that desperately needs scoring from the second unit.
Also Read: NBA News Update: Jaylen Brown slams Raptors coach Nick Nurse for his antics, Danuel House's season in jeopardy.
