Here are three trade targets in response to the Davis injury that could potentially prevent Los Angeles from having another losing season.
Anthony Davis is set to miss at least a month of action with a foot injury
The Lakers will struggle to maintain their recent success without their season’s MVP. In addition, no one would be shocked if general manager Rob Pelinka made a move to prevent the Lakers from falling in the Western Conference standings.
Related: Anthony Davis injury status of Los Angeles Lakers
- Make a deal to acquire Myles Turner and Buddy Hield
The Pacers trade: Myles Turner and Buddy Hield
The Lakers trade: Russell Westbrook, first-round picks in 2027, 2029
For months, there have been rumors of this trade. The Davis trade might be the deciding factor that prompts the Lakers to act. In any case, this roster needs more shooters, and Turner and Hield both fit the bill.
Imagine the following starting lineup for the Lakers: Anthony Davis, Buddy Hield, LeBron James, Myles Turner, and Patrick Beverley. The Lakers in this incarnation might actually make their opponents nervous.
More: LeBron James injury status of The Lakers
- Kyle Kuzma and the Los Angeles Lakers come full circle
The Wizards trade: Kyle Kuzma
The Lakers trade: Lonnie Walker IV, Kendrick Nunn, first-round picks in 2027, 2029
Rumors of a trade are already circulating, and Kuzma himself appeared to be open to the idea of returning to Los Angeles.
The Wizards, who are nine games under.500, may once more consider offloading some of their veterans. In particular, given that one of them, Kyle Kuzma, is in the final year of his contract and is not only playing the best basketball of his career.
With or without Davis being healthy, Kuzma would be a perfect fit because he is a versatile 3-and-D athlete and would add even more length to the starting five.
- The trade of Nikola Vucevic gives the Lakers more size
The Bulls trade: Nikola Vucevic
The Lakers trade: Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, first-round picks in 2027, 2029
The two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic of Chicago may be a potential trade target. Due to the fact that he is in the final year of his contract, he could become a top trade candidate.
Since being traded to Chicago, the 32-year-old Swiss native has struggled to maintain his All-Star level of play, but he is still a productive scorer who has a career average of 16.9 PPG.
The Lakers don’t have many current assets available, so adding Vucevic would cost future ones, but he’d be an immediate boost and could stick at center when Davis returns, with the former Pelicans star switching back to power forward, his preferred position.
