{"id":114124,"date":"2024-12-26T16:55:10","date_gmt":"2024-12-26T21:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=114124"},"modified":"2024-12-26T16:58:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-26T21:58:24","slug":"nba-rumors-lakers-trade-first-round-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/26\/nba-rumors-lakers-trade-first-round-picks\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Rumors: Insider Reveals Lakers Willingness to Part with Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even after a <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/recap?gameId=401704974\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">thrilling Christmas Day win for the Lakers<\/a>, it\u2019s clear the team still needs to improve through trades. A new report from ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania revealed their surprising willingness to move on from some coveted draft capital.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>NBA Rumors: Insider Reveals Lakers Willingness to Part with Picks<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Latest on the Lakers<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Charania, the Lakers are open to moving on from their three tradable first-round picks (likely their 2029\/2031 picks and a pick swap) for players who can fit with this team both now and in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMy sources in that Lakers front office tell me&#8230; they&#8217;re open to moving that [3 first-round picks] in a potential trade but they want a player or players that they feel can get into this iteration of this team now with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but can also play for three, four, five more years with JJ Redick as the coach.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;My sources in that Lakers front office tell me&#8230; they&#39;re open to moving that [3 first-round picks] in a potential trade but they want a player or players that they feel can get into this iteration of this team now.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Shams Charania on First Take.<a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xxqJ3u89CU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/xxqJ3u89CU<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ClutchPoints\/status\/1872336205645595066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 26, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This stance isn\u2019t completely new considering the Lakers\u2019 situation, though there is now clarity on the type of player they\u2019d be willing to trade those picks for. Instead of a bonafide third star, the Lakers appear to be content with solid role players who, as Charania mentioned, can seamlessly plug into this roster as it stands now with <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davisan02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Davis<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Potential Targets<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lakers were already linked to a bevy of players, but their renewed thinking could shift their focus away from some veteran players, namely <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/v\/valanjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jonas Valanciunas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brogdma01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malcolm Brogdon<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grantje01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jerami Grant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That\u2019s not to say the Lakers could still go out and get them, but hardly any of them are worth the team&#8217;s future firsts, especially at this point in the season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, there are other standout players the Lakers could trade those first-rounders for, particularly wings and centers who can shore up the team\u2019s biggest needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Cam Johnson and\/or Dorian Finney-Smith<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both Brooklyn wings, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/johnsca02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cam Johnson<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/f\/finnedo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dorian Finney-Smith<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have been consistently linked to the Lakers. Now that the Nets are entering rebuild mode, it\u2019s a perfect time to pry one or both of them from New York.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Johnson is in the midst of a career year, putting up 19.1 points per game on 48% shooting from the field, 42% from three and 88% from the free-throw line. He\u2019s had a plethora of scoring outbursts\u2014including a <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/7ENtkTLQv0c?si=oBM7Dtr8A6Bq5Ges\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">season-high 37 against Philadelphia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014and provides solid athleticism and defense. He\u2019s putting up numbers that should catch the eyes of contenders, and the Lakers should capitalize on his trade value while it\u2019s still sky high.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Cam Johnson did it all vs the raptors last night..<\/p>\n<p>33\/10\/6\/2 on 81% TS.<\/p>\n<p>Showed his advanced creation game as he tied career high in ast, generated tons of contact with 12 FTA, the usual elite shooting on\/off ball. <\/p>\n<p>One of the most polished offensive players in the league <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3g1ZFg4WEh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/3g1ZFg4WEh<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Nets Film Room (@NetsFilm) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NetsFilm\/status\/1870202585233195496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 20, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a similar vein, Finney-Smith is a veteran sharpshooter with years of playoff experience. The 31-year-old combo forward is averaging 10.8 points while shooting a career-best 45% from deep (not to mention 47% from the field, another career-high). The Lakers were reportedly in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/27\/lakers-rumors-dorian-finney-smith-nets\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cconstant contact\u201d about Finney-Smith<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dating back to last season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Johnson and Finney-Smith fit the bill as 3-and-D wings who can take the scoring pressure off of several key Lakers while stopping opposing forwards, including a team\u2019s best player. While landing both of them is a dream scenario (one that may involve Russell and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hachiru01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rui Hachimura<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, for instance), acquiring one of them would be ideal for the Lakers\u2019 current needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another pair the Lakers could aim for is <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sextoco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collin Sexton<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kesslwa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walker Kessler<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the Jazz.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/fadeawayworld.net\/nba-trade-rumors\/los-angeles-lakers\/nba-rumors-lakers-linked-9-players-kyle-kuzma-collin-sexton\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexton<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a 25-year-old combo guard, has recently come up as <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/fadeawayworld.net\/nba-trade-rumors\/los-angeles-lakers\/nba-rumors-lakers-linked-9-players-kyle-kuzma-collin-sexton\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a name to watch for the Lakers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, according to The Athletic\u2019s Jovan Buha. Across 28 games (26 starts), he is putting up 17.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists on .487\/.434\/.889 splits. He\u2019s coming off of a <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TjRmYU_r6AA\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24-point, 5-assist performance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Utah\u2019s loss to the Cavaliers on Dec. 23. Fans and the media have pinned Sexton as a possible Russell replacement dating back to last season. Considering how well he has played despite Utah&#8217;s poor results, acquiring Sexton makes sense for the Lakers\u2019 future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, Kessler, Utah\u2019s starting center, has become a revelation for Jazz fans, leading several contenders\u2014the Lakers included\u2014to express interest in him. The 23-year-old 7-footer is averaging 10.5 points and 10.7 rebounds while shooting 72% from the field, finding success after his promotion to the starting lineup. However, that good fortune has also led Utah to <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/10147892-report-jazz-rejected-multiple-walker-kessler-trade-calls-amid-lakers-rumors\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">keep Kessler around and reject any trade calls for him<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including proposals that offered two first-round picks\u2014a hefty asking price for a center on a two-year team option.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under General Manager Danny Ainge, the Jazz will be tougher trade partners for the Lakers, but it doesn\u2019t mean they should rule Utah out completely. Both Sexton and Kessler provide valuable skills at positions of need for the Lakers, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/23\/lakers-rob-pelinka-scapegoat-status\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rob Pelinka<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should do all he can to put them in a situation where they can thrive.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Even after a thrilling Christmas Day win for the Lakers, it\u2019s clear the team still needs to improve through trades. A new report from ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania revealed their surprising willingness to move on from some coveted draft capital. NBA Rumors: Insider Reveals Lakers Willingness to Part with Picks Latest on the Lakers According to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4265,"featured_media":109780,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,6,26,62,4721,24],"tags":[240,1781,1594,2272,38,759,4513],"class_list":["post-114124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nets","category-lakers","category-nba","category-trade-rumors","category-jazz","tag-anthony-davis","tag-cam-johnson","tag-collin-sexton","tag-dorian-finney-smith","tag-lebron-james","tag-rob-pelinka","tag-walker-kessler"],"modified_by":"Jordan Pagkalinawan","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4265"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114124"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":114135,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114124\/revisions\/114135"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}