Los Angeles Lakers Could Turn to Trade Market for Answer at Small Forward

The search for answers at the small forward position by the Los Angeles Lakers has been a difficult thing to watch.

There was the 2013 promise shown by Xavier Henry before a torn Achilles tendon derailed his hoops dreams. There was also the bewildering sight of 6’11” Ryan Kelly lumbering down the floor on the wing this season.

But the most maddening of all has been the wasted potential of Wesley Johnson—a former No. 4 draft pick who has squandered the many chances handed to him.

True, Nick “Swaggy P” Young can light it up when he’s not injured or incurring the wrath of Lakers head coach Byron Scott. But Young is a natural 2-guard and just one more example of an ad hoc solution that doesn’t address the real problem.

The Lakers need a legitimate two-way player and, in a perfect world, someone with NBA experience who still has plenty of good years ahead.

This is, after all, a young team if you look past Kobe Bryant, who is approaching his 20th and likely final season. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently spoke about his star’s waning days on Sirius XM NBA Radio.

“There have been no discussions about anything going forward. I don't think there will be,” Kupchak said. “He has indicated to me that this is it.”

Bryant himself was more circumspect, however, when addressing the rumored finality on his Twitter account. 

Management does have some strong assets to work with, including the second, 27th and 34th picks in the upcoming draft, along with plenty of cap space for the summer open market that follows.

But there are also challenges—the Lakers would be hard-pressed not to use their top pick on Karl-Anthony Towns from Kentucky or Jahlil Okafor from Duke. These are clearly the best players in the draft, and L.A. is in desperate need of a starting center.

Plus, it’s unlikely that a late first-round or early second-round pick would result in a quality starting wing for a lineup that has little playoff experience apart from Bryant. 

No, L.A. needs a particular type of player at the 3—someone not too young and not too old, a player with athleticism and tenacity.

Unfortunately, some of the most promising candidates will be difficult to secure during free agency.

The Atlanta Hawks will prioritize re-signing unrestricted free agent DeMarre Carroll. The same goes for the San Antonio Spurs and restricted free agent Kawhi Leonard. Ditto for RFAs Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors. 

Todd Kirkland/Associated Press

And, according to the Orlando Sentinel’s Brian Schmitz, Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has vowed to bring back RFA Tobias Harris “no matter what” the cost.

There’s also the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jeff Green, who has a player’s option at $9.2 million. But if Green wants to maximize his payday, it would make more sense to wait until next year’s higher salary cap.

And then comes the trade market—the NBA’s other major tool for acquisitions.

During a radio appearance with ESPN's Colin Cowherd, Kupchak said he would be willing to trade the No. 2 pick, depending on the circumstances.

“I think that’s something we would have to look at,” Kupchak said. “We haven’t sat down and gone through our options, but that is an option.”

Kupchak also acknowledged the pressure in the L.A. major market, noting: “There probably is more pressure here, more expectation, to rebuild quicker versus taking your time through the draft.”

He further added, “It’s tough to get free agents.”

But giving up Towns or Okafor is almost unimaginable, unless it's for a major star.

What teams are most desperate to move up in the draft? The New York Knicks would like to regain the No. 2 pick they lost in the lottery when they fell to No. 4. But it’s doubtful team president Phil Jackson will give away too much in order to move up, and he certainly wouldn’t consider trading his prime asset—Carmelo Anthony.

The Utah Jazz would no doubt like to move up from No. 12, but similarly, management isn’t eager to part with small forward Gordon Hayward, who is nearing his prime as he heads into his sixth NBA season.

Would there be even a remote possibility of the Lakers obtaining DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings? That would solve L.A.’s center dilemma and allow greater flexibility for a young small forward project.

In April, Kings coach George Karl mused about the “what-ifs” of significant personnel changes.

“I’ve had some great players and I’ve never had one player that I have said is untradeable,” Karl said, per Bill Herenda of Comcast SportsNet. “You always got to be ready for the possibility of a great trade that could come your way.”

But Kings vice president Vlade Divac sought to downplay that statement during a recent interview with Sirius XM NBA Radio.

“I think, you know, Coach kind of stepped it up further than he should,” Divac said. “And of course, everybody has their opinion, but right now, if we’re talking about today, yeah, DeMarcus is untradeable.”

Would that decision "today" be the same on draft night if the Kings were offered the No. 2 pick and perhaps more for Boogie? The Lakers have to at least make that phone call. 

What about the Portland Trail Blazers, who failed to advance out of the first round of the playoffs? According to Jabari Young of Comcast SportsNet, GM Neil Olshey may be willing to package Nicolas Batum and the 23rd pick in order to move up.

Batum didn’t have a great season in Portland and is heading into the final year of his contract. He could be a fit in Los Angeles, but not at the cost of the No. 2 pick. But if L.A. could get him another way, it would.

And that’s where the real volatility of trading comes in, with the myriad of teams that ping-pong picks and other assets back and forth, jockeying for position, cash, future picks and players.

The Lakers are more likely to shop or package their 27th and 34th picks, along with cash and players like Young. They could also pick up the option on big man Jordan Hill’s contract before the draft if they sense a willing trade partner.

Another interesting possibility could be Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors—an explosive young player who hasn’t quite lived up to his potential. The 2013 Sprite Slam Dunk champion played on a bum ankle this season and had bone spurs removed on May 22. The Raptors have the 20th pick in the draft this year. 

2012-13	17.0 MPG	10.4 PER	0.9 WS	2.0 REB	6.4 PPG
2013-14	26.7 MPG	12.0 PER	4.2 WS	3.1 REB	10.9 PPG
2014-15	25.5 MPG	11.2 PER	2.4 WS	2.8 REB	9.8 PPG

Ross by himself does not serve as “the answer” for Los Angeles. But he is yet another example of the wide array of potential moving parts in an NBA offseason, as various front offices scramble to outdo each other in the annual rite of roster shuffling.

For the Lakers, sweeping changes have not brought lasting results in recent years—Bryant is the sole remaining player from their most recent championship era, and his final chapter draws ever nearer.

But with needs across the board and an elite draft pick in hand, the front office is hoping to set the table in a way that best channels its focus for the rest of the summer's makeover.

And when it comes to finding the answer at the small forward position, don’t be surprised if the front office turns to the art of the trade.