NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 5 trades to help the rich get richer

1. Lakers smelling like Roses

When you look at what the Los Angeles Lakers could possibly use to help with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in making a run at the Larry O’Brien Trophy, there are two things that come to mind. One, they need a ball-handler that can allow James to operate without the ball in hands more often and also work in the pick-and-roll. Secondly, they need someone that can help spread the floor for their dynamic duo.

In terms of floor-spacers that could answer the call for the Lakers, there is no shortage. Players such as Bogdan Bogdanovic, Robert Covington and Davis Bertans, among others, come to mind. However, they wouldn’t add the secondary ball-handler that this team needs. And since Los Angeles only gets one shot at getting something in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, they should take their shot at a player who could seemingly answer both needs.

No, Derrick Rose isn’t going to be an elite 3-point shooter. However, he’s hitting on over 31 percent of his attempts this season and has dramatically improved his ability to space the floor with his jump shot from earlier in his career. More importantly, he gives the Lakers the point guard they need to facilitate and be the reliable third scoring option in this offense.

For the Pistons, they are dead in the water in terms of their salary cap situation and direction and figure to be big-time sellers at the NBA trade deadline. Thus, getting a young asset in Kyle Kuzma and future draft capital for their veteran point guard seems like a good place to start for them. Doing so will change the face of the way the Lakers operate and, more than likely, make the top seed in the Western Conference even more dangerous than they already are.