Lakers Trade Proposal Lands $197 Million Star From East Playoff Contender
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a trade move for at least one star player. They missed the chance to make the playoffs again and the front office is expected to introduce new players. There are several potential targets for the storied franchise and Darius Garland is one of them.
The Lakers were initially linked to Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell. However, the team may go after his teammate. Mitchell may enter the open market in 2025 and the Cavaliers will have to find a way to keep him around. If he doesn’t get another deal with the team, Cleveland will have to part ways with him. If he stays on the Cavaliers roster, Garland will end up on the trade block.
“Should Mitchell decide to stay long term, sources briefed on the matter say Garland’s representation, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, would have a conversation with Cavs officials on potentially finding a new home for the one-time All-Star,” Jason Lloyd of The Athletic wrote on May 15.
Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report encouraged the Lakers to trade for Garland.
“A trade might be L.A.’s easiest path to landing a starting-caliber point guard who isn’t just a one-year stopgap,” Knox wrote in reference to an alternative option for the team of pursuing Chris Paul should he leave the Golden State Warriors. “If Garland actively wants out of Cleveland, it could help lower the asking price, so it might be a trade the Lakers can pull off.”
Lakers have to make some moves to trade for a star player
Getting Mitchell won’t be that easy. Ashish Mathur reported that the Cavaliers “would never” send Mitchell to LA. When it comes to Garland, he has career averages of 18.4 points, 6.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals.
The Lakers can make any deal possible by handling D’Angelo Russell’s salary. The veteran should opt out of his player option with the team and sign with another team via a trade.
“If Russell does not return or they find a third team to take back his contract if he opts-in, the Lakers would be allowed to aggregate contracts sent out,” Marks wrote. “The Lakers would then be allowed to trade Reaves, Hachimura and three first-round picks (2024, 2029 and 2031).”