Los Angeles Lakers: The Most Naive Trade Proposals This Offseason

For the most part, Los Angeles Lakers fans have an extreme sense of entitlement over other fans around the NBA. Watching your team win five NBA titles in a decade will have that effect.

In the eyes of some Lakers fans, no trade is too farfetched and no signing too questionable. In certain fans’ minds, it’s the dream of every player in the NBA to play at Staples Center alongside Kobe Bryant, while Jack Nicholson cheers them on sitting courtside.

The reality of the matter is that the Lakers are no longer a superpower in the Western Conference. Bryant is getting up there in age and Pau Gasol’s days in L.A. may be numbered. In addition, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder appear poised to start a dynasty of their own.

The following are actual proposed trades by actual readers to help the Lakers move forward.

To be fair, most Lakers fans probably know just how humorous these proposals are.

Nevertheless, I got a kick out of them and I hope they’ll make you laugh as well.

(Note: Just to reiterate, this article is meant to be humorous, not offensive. If you can't take a joke then I advise you not to read any further).

Sixers Add Salary

The Trade:

Philadelphia 76ers Get: Pau Gasol, Ramon Sessions and Metta World Peace

Los Angeles Lakers Get: Andre Iguodala

With this trade proposition, the two teams involved, 76ers and Lakers, would swap two stars who have found their names in the rumor mill of late.

Of course, the Lakers would sweeten the pot by adding Ramon “I Shot 16 Percent from Three-point Range in the Playoffs” Sessions and Metta "Most Ironic Name in the NBA" World Peace.

In this proposed trade, the 76ers would acquire $12,748,076 more than allowed for the deal to work for them financially.

That’s close enough to working out, right?

Miami Gets Older

The Trade:

Miami Heat Get: Pau Gasol

Los Angeles Lakers Get: Chris Bosh

From a financial standpoint, this trade actually works out for both sides.

However, Pau Gasol is under contract for the next two seasons at about $19 million per year. Chris Bosh, on the other hand, is under contract for the next four seasons and at a cheaper price over the two-year span with Gasol.

Additionally, Bosh, at 28 years old, is three years younger than Gasol.

Why would the Heat want to trade for a nearly identically skilled player like Gasol, thus adding a guy who, in theory, is three years closer to retirement? I’m still trying to find the answer.

First We Make Sense, Then We Don't

Trade One:

Atlanta Hawks Get: Pau Gasol

Los Angeles Lakers Get: Josh Smith and Zaza Pachulia

Okay, maybe we're onto something here.

Is a 26-year-old Josh Smith worth a 31-year-old Pau Gasol? I say no on the surface, but there are some factors at play.

First off, Smith is a guy who has needed a change of scenery for a while. Smith has even said that he wants to be traded from Atlanta, according to sources.

Although the Hawks don't help themselves by getting younger, they add an extremely capable power forward in Gasol who could play alongside Al Horford in the post. It's possible that the Spaniard could get the Hawks to the next level in postseason play.

Trade Two:

Portland Trail Blazers Get: Zaza Pachulia (from Trade One) and Steve Blake

Los Angeles Lakers Get: Nic Batum

Well, here we go again.

Why on earth would the Trail Blazers want to trade 23-year-old, defensive-minded small forward Nic Batum (assuming they retain the restricted free agent this summer)?

Batum is one of the best young players in the game and he still has a lot of potential to improve. Trading him for Pachulia and Blake would likely start riots in Portland.

Potential For... Better Potential

The Trade:

Sacramento Kings Get: Andrew Bynum

Los Angeles Lakers Get: DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans

Once again we have a hopeful Lakers fan with a wild proposal.

This trade would be nothing short of amazing for the Lakers. They cut some salary by moving Bynum and picking up 21-year-old Cousins and 22-year old Evans, ushering in a youth movement while having a few years of those two around Bryant/Gasol.

For the Kings? This trade is an absolute disaster.

Even if the trade were straight up Cousins for Bynum, or Cousins and John Salmons' bad contract for Bynum, it still doesn't make much sense.

Cousins has perhaps the most potential in the NBA right now having averaged 18.1 points and 11 rebounds per game last season. That's already incredibly similar to Bynum's career-year this season of 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.

Why would the Kings give up Cousins (basically a healthier, younger version of Bynum) as well as Evans?

The Maloof's would have to change their last name to "Aloof" if they let that trade happen.

Brooklynsota

Trade One:

Minnesota Timberwolves Get: Pau Gasol

Los Angeles Lakers Get: Derrick Williams, Michael Beasley (sign-and-trade) and Anthony Randolph

Williams is 21 years old, Randolph is 22 years old and Beasley is 23 years old. That's an immeasurable amount of talent and potential the T-Wolves would be giving up for a 31-year-old Gasol.

Let's just say the Timberwolves would never do this, even if David Kahn suffered a severe head injury.

Trade Two:

Brooklyn Nets Get: Derrick Williams (from Trade One), Devin Ebanks and Steve Blake

Los Angeles Lakers Get: Deron Williams (sign-and trade)

Yet another sign-and-trade deal. This one would net the Lakers one of the best point guards in the NBA in Deron Williams.

The Lakers would be devastated by luxury tax penalties if Williams was sent their way via sign-and-trade, but that's beside the point.

In this scenario, the Brooklyn Nets would add the other D-Will (Derrick Williams), Devin Ebanks and Steve Blake.

I'm a Derrick Williams fan, but Brooklyn is basically only getting his potential in this deal while losing the real D-Will. Not an ideal sign-and-trade scenario for them even if Deron Williams decides to leave this summer.

Cap Imbalance

The Trade:

Houston Rockets Get: Pau Gasol and Steve Blake

Los Angeles Lakers Get: Kyle Lowry, Houston Rockets' first-round pick (No. 14) and Houston Rockets' first-round pick (No. 16)

Just so we're clear here, the Rockets would trade disgruntled point guard Kyle Lowry and both of their first-round picks in this year's NBA draft for Pau Gasol and $4 million worth of Steve Blake.

Even if this trade worked out financially, I think that a Gasol for Lowry trade is fair enough as is, but throwing in the Rockets' two first-rounders in this year's draft? That's head-scratching to say the least.

From a business perspective, the Rockets would acquire $15,426,650 more than allowed for this trade to work.

We have a new record ladies and gentlemen.

My Turn

After compiling a list of all the proposed Lakers trades I've seen, I decided to get in on the action myself.

The Trade:

Orlando Magic Get: Metta World Peace, Steve Blake, Josh McRoberts and Christian Eyenga

Los Angeles Lakers Get: Dwight Howard

In a blockbuster deal for the ages, the Lakers add the best center in the NBA, "Superman" Dwight Howard.

The trade appears to fit a lot of naive Lakers fan criteria as well.

1. The Lakers dump the contracts of Metta World Peace and Steve Blake.

2. They pick up a superstar.

3. The trade is not at all viable for the side not named the Los Angeles Lakers.

My trade, however, is actually financially possible.

Follow me on Twitter: @benlebo