NBA Trade Deadline 2020: One trade every team should make

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Los Angeles Lakers: Troy Daniels and own 31-55 protected 2022 second-rounder for the Chicago Bulls’ Luke Kornet

Reason for Los Angeles: It’s tough for the Lakers to get a huge piece, especially with so much of their money tied to their two stars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But they can get better around the margins. Troy Daniels and a conditional second-rounder that probably won’t convey isn’t much of a cost, and the Lakers can take a swing at a young player with that price. Luke Kornet fits the bill. At his best, he’s a stretchy center who spaces the floor with a quick trigger release and protects the rim. He’s not shooting well this year, but he has more of a history of success in his past, and it’s possible he’s only shooting poorly because he isn’t playing. The Lakers have plenty of good bigs, but they don’t have any who can shoot consistently, and that’s a valuable change-up look in the playoffs. The Lakers wouldn’t pay much for this, and it’s possible that the move could pay off by offering a weapon the team doesn’t currently possess.

Reason for Chicago: This one’s a no-brainer. Kornet’s not really playing at all, so trading him for an expiring contract, even a small one, and a potential draft asset would be the equivalent of making something out of nothing. Pull the trigger before anyone realizes what’s happening.

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