Ranking Which Los Angeles Lakers Are Most Likely to Be Traded at the Deadline
The Los Angeles Lakers' desire for an active trade deadline sits in the gray area between a want and a need.
With transparent plans to go whale-hunting in free agency, they would like to shed salary and increase their spending power. But with their top (realistic) trade chips either under contract (Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr.) or bound by restricted free agency (Julius Randle), they aren't forced to act now; different paths will be available around the 2018 NBA draft and later in the offseason.
"We've gotta make moves to [become a contender], we know that, so we're constantly assessing that," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said on Spectrum SportsNet (via Silver Screen and Roll). "And if there's things this trade deadline that help us take steps up the mountain on that journey, we'll absolutely do them. But if those things don't present itself, then we'll stay the course with what we have."
In other words, action isn't guaranteed—but don't be surprised if it happens.
As L.A.'s top executives settle in at the trade table, let's examine the most likely players to be moved.
Going Nowhere
Before the 2017-18 campaign commenced, Lakers president Magic Johnson had already scratched three names off any potential trades list.
Johnson dubbed high-ceiling sophomore Brandon Ingram untouchable last May, per ESPN's Baxter Holmes. One month later, Johnson anointed No. 2 pick Lonzo Ball "the new face of the Lakers," per ESPN's J.A. Adande. And in September, Johnson declared Kyle Kuzma "the steal of the draft," via Lakers Nation.
As liquid as the Lakers roster seems, that trio feels cemented into all future plans.
But the list of untradables extends well beyond those three. Luol Deng's deal (two years, $36.8 million remaining) is immovable. The only way the Lakers deal the 32-year-old is if Ingram, Ball or Kuzma goes along with him, per Bill Oram of the Orange County Register.
That's not happening, so neither is a Deng deal.
Expect the same for Brook Lopez and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The former is collecting $22.6 million and averaging 21.1 minutes. The latter has a .408/.354/.752 shooting slash that makes his $17.7 million salary seem preposterous.
Anyone willing to accept either contract would want to ditch a bad one of their own. And since the Lakers can't take on any long-term money, that's another brick wall.
Finally, there's a select group of youthful long shots who could potentially sweeten a deal but probably make more sense to keep. Rookies Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant haven't established enough value to justify cutting them loose so quickly. Ivica Zubac's appeal is trending in the wrong direction, and there's no reason to believe two-way contract players Alex Caruso and Gary Payton II have interested suitors.
The remaining quintet, though, all are more viable trade options, and they're ranked by their likelihood of being moved—determined by production, appeal to other clubs and contract situation.
5. Tyler Ennis, PG/4. Corey Brewer, SF
Corey Brewer is slightly ahead of Tyler Ennis on the trade hierarchy, but they're lumped together for a reason: Think of them more as 4a and 4b, since both are trade candidates but more so as filler than standalone commodities.
That's the same path Brewer followed to L.A. at last year's deadline, providing the necessary salary for the Lakers to flip Lou Williams for a first-round pick. The well-traveled Ennis—four teams in four seasons—came to L.A. in a salary dump last season and was previously moved in a 2015 five-player swap.
If Brewer (career 28.0 three-point percentage) or Ennis (31.5) were more consistent marksmen, this might be a different conversation. But that's one of the worst weaknesses for a perimeter player in today's NBA, and neither does enough to compensate for the shortcoming.
Brewer does provide playoff experience, some defensive versatility and transition verve. Ennis is always good for twice as many assists as turnovers, and his pass-first style would play better on a club with more weapons.
There is no financial commitment to Brewer beyond this season. Ennis' $1.6 million salary for 2018-19 is non-guaranteed. While each could supplement a trade, their warts are big enough to likely prevent them from moving by themselves.
3. Larry Nance Jr., PF
Nance is a curious addition to this list, as his season seems to be a tale of diverting narratives.
In September the third-year bouncy big man was looking to build off two solid—if unspectacular—seasons. He didn't come across as either a surefire keeper or an obvious trade chip, until Johnson showered him with effusive praise that loudly suggested the former:
Since then, Nance has elevated multiple categories to career-best levels, including points per 36 minutes (14.1), rebounds per 36 (10.9), field-goal percentage (60.5) and player efficiency rating (19.7).
And yet, his seemingly ironclad future with the Lakers was hit with this wrinkle: ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported L.A. had "made it clear" Nance was one of the players made available in trade talks.
If your reaction to that is the shrug emoji, then you have something in common with Nance. As he told Alex Kennedy on the HoopsHype Podcast, the news caught him off guard like the rest of us:
"I was a little bit surprised [by the rumors], but at the end of the day, it's a business. If something like that were to happen, if I were to get traded to a different team, it would be a team that would value me. I try to look at it like that, just as an opportunity, if that were to happen. Obviously, I'd love to stay in L.A. But if it happens, there's nothing that I can do about it, but it would be a new opportunity and hopefully one that I can seize and make the best of."
There are many reasons for Nance not to worry about a midseason move.
His rookie deal extends another season ($2.2 million for 2018-19), so any financial motivations to trade him are minimal at best. He's also the type of low-maintenance player who could complement both L.A.'s developing roster and the kind of star-studded squad it hopes to assemble this summer.
Oh, and he's an electrifying above-the-rim finisher who's Slam Dunk Contest-bound because of ferocious flushes like these:
But if Wojnarowski hears Nance is available, we'd be remiss not to include him. Not to mention, he'd surely interest a robust number of deadline shoppers, and the ascension of Kuzma has arguably solidified the 4 spot going forward.
That's why Nance can't get completely comfortable until after the deadline has passed, although any deals involving him would have to bring back a difference-maker.
2. Julius Randle, PF/C
Randle's longterm future with the Lakers was in jeopardy before they opted against extending his deal in October.
He's not the easiest player to mold a roster around, as bigs who can't shoot or protect the rim are struggling to meet the modern demands for interior positions. Since an extension never seemed probable, his impending restricted free agency was always going to be messy given this group's clear intention of big-game hunting.
That's not to suggest the Lakers should just give him away; but rival clubs know his contract situation and will tailor their offers accordingly. For instance, the New Orleans Pelicans reportedly tried to pry Randle loose for Alexis Ajinca (an injured center who's averaged 13.3 minutes for his career) and a second-round pick, league sources told The Athletic's Michael Scotto.
If that's the market for Randle, then subtracting him will worsen L.A. in the short term. That isn't the worst thing that could happen to a draft lottery-bound team—although the Lakers won't tank since they don't own either of their 2018 picks—but it's at least a reason to temper expectations for the return on Randle.
He could leave for nothing this summer, so maybe that's the motivation to move him. But L.A. understands—or should understand, at least—that ambitious plans for free agency often don't come together. With DeMarcus Cousins seemingly off the table and Paul George sounding like he's enjoying his time in OKC, the Lakers must be careful about emptying the cupboards and discovering there's no way to refill them.
While Randle has his faults, he offers a unique size-skill combination. There aren't many 6'9", 250-pound players who can handle and create the way he does. Last season, he was one of only nine players to average at least 13 points, eight rebounds and 3.5 assists. And while his distributing has declined this year, the 23-year-old has never been more efficient (55.1 field-goal percentage, 19.2 PER).
It feels safe to assume L.A. will shop him heavily in the coming days, which is why he's plugged in second on our list. But he won't have as many suitors or offer as much financial relief as the No. 1 choice.
1. Jordan Clarkson, PG/SG
Even though multiple Lakers have been labeled (or assumed) available all season, Clarkson stands out as the clear-cut likeliest to go.
Dollars drive a lot of that distinction. Besides the unmovable Deng, Clarkson is the only player on the payroll with guaranteed, non-rookie-scale money owed to him after this season ($25.9 million for the next two years). Most of L.A.'s paths to two max-contract slots require Clarkson's removal.
Moving beyond economics, Clarkson might be the most coveted player they're willing to dangle. One Eastern Conference executive told Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus his order for the rumored players: Clarkson, Nance and then Randle in terms of attractiveness.
Assuming Clarkson would wind up in a reserve role (he's made just 21 starts over this season and last), he'd offer immediate plug-and-play potential. He's an instant offensive spark and conveniently peaking at the optimal time.
He's outpacing his personal-best per-36-minute production in points (22.4), nearly matching it in assists (4.9) and enjoying career highs in PER (17.3) and true shooting percentage (53.6).
It seems every win-now bench would welcome a scoring boost this time of year. (Lou Williams and Bojan Bogdanovic both netted first-round picks at the 2017 deadline.) Even though Clarkson's shooting has been inconsistent, he's been a quick-strike point-producer all season. In fact, no one owns a better scoring average while playing fewer than 24 minutes (14.7, minimum 25 appearances).
Need more reasons to think Clarkson's days in Hollywood could be numbered? Wojnarowski's report stated there's a "mutual desire" to get him elsewhere "sooner than later." And Scotto's said the Pellies put their first-rounder (since dealt to the Chicago Bulls) on the table for Clarkson.
If the Lakers can sniff out a favorable deadline deal, expect Clarkson to be involved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from Basketball Reference or NBA.com. Salary information obtained via Basketball Insiders.
Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @ZachBuckleyNBA.
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