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The LA Lakers have now won 17 NBA Championships, with their most recent coming in the Orlando Bubble. The team was outstanding throughout and seldom looked like losing at any stage. The LA Clippers, meanwhile, were a shadow of their illustrious selves during the playoffs and fell well short of expectations. Since the end of the postseason, both teams have been the subject of NBA trade rumors, with several players rumored to leave both franchises this off-season.
With the LA Clippers in desperate need of strengthening its roster, let us have a look at five players from the LA Lakers the franchise could go after ahead of the start of next season.
NBA Trade Rumors: Five LA Lakers players the LA Clippers must target this off-season
For this list, we have included players from the LA Lakers, who could make a positive impact at the LA Clippers. More specifically, we have considered players who are centers and ones who can space the floor and be the playmaker for the team. Without further ado, let's get started.
#1 Rajon Rondo
Even at 34, Rajon Rondo has proven that he can be a major factor on a championship team.
Rondo was absolutely integral for the LA Lakers during the 2020 postseason, with his playmaking and leadership off the bench rallying the troops on several occasions. He even knocked down tough shots in clutch moments in the Western Conference Finals.
Rajon Rondo's performances prove that not only is he a starting-caliber point guard with elite playmaking, he is also a leader who can guide the team when it needs it most. With the player reportedly set to opt out of his contract with the Lakers, the LA Clippers need to snag him this off-season.
#2 Avery Bradley
Despite deciding against playing in the Orlando Bubble, interest in Avery Bradley has not diminished whatsoever. In fact, according to NBA trade rumors, more teams are interested in him than was the case before the lockdown.
The 29-year-old can space the floor and is an elite defender who can occasionally lock up some of the best in the NBA. He is almost a great, if not elite, playmaker who is able to see passing lanes defenders are seldom aware of.
With Avery Bradley reportedly looking to opt out of his contract with the LA Lakers this off-season, the Clippers could solve their playmaking problems by acquiring the player ahead of next season.
#3 Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard was a key player for the LA Lakers, with the 34-year-old coming off the bench to give important minutes to the team.
While Howard is not the beast he once was, the player still has a lot of bounce and overall athleticism, factors that make him an absolute force at the defensive end. Additionally, he is an amazing lob-catcher and overall inside player on the offensive end that any team would love to have at their disposal.
With NBA trade rumors reporting that Montrezl Harrell could depart from the LA Clippers this off-season, Dwight Howard could be the perfect replacement for the franchise to sign during the NBA Free Agency 2020.
#4 JaVale McGee
JaVale McGee has now won three NBA Championships in the last four years. And while he was hardly the best player on the teams that went all the way, his value to those franchises cannot be stated enough.
The 32-year-old is an excellent rim protector and a fabulous inside player in offense as well. Much like Dwight Howard, McGee is also a great lob catcher. While many may believe that McGee isn't a very smart player, he has pulled through with some smart plays for the LA Lakers on occasion.
In the backdrop of the LA Clippers' lacking inside defense, JaVale McGee could be another option for the franchise to go after this off-season.
#5 JR Smith
Despite not playing too many minutes for the LA Lakers during the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the 35-year-old is still capable of playing at the highest level.
JR Smith's blunder in the 2018 NBA Finals was indeed an abysmal one. However, the player's abilities have also been greatly ignored. Smith is still an elite scorer and is also a very good wing defender.
In an LA Clippers bench that greatly lacks defense, snatching away JR Smith from the LA Lakers could be a very underrated move for the franchise.
Also Read: NBA Trade Options: A move to the Dallas Mavericks could give Bradley Beal a chance at multiple NBA championships.
Guess the Lakers players!
