5 wildly unrealistic Lakers trade ideas you’re going to hear a lot this summer
By Nick Villano
Donovan Mitchell – Utah Jazz
This one might be the most realistic since it seems pretty clear that the Utah Jazz and Donovan Mitchell are headed for a divorce, but trading a star guard not only within the conference but right in the Jazz’s way to making a run to the NBA Finals seems unlikely at best.
When a player like Mitchell becomes available, teams will line up to see what the price is. Most teams will be scared away by the initial price since it’s likely going to be very high, but other teams will be willing to stick around and see how the negotiations could go. The Lakers might not have that ability with everything they’re trying to deal with.
James, Davis, Westbrook (assuming he picks up that $47 million player option), Talen Horton-Tucker, and Kendrick Nunn put the Lakers over the salary cap. Keeping Westbrook on the roster basically ruins any chance of getting better. So, they probably have to waive him and stretch his cap hit over multiple years. It’s going to hurt them in the long run, but it’s the only option to grab a player like Mitchell.
In terms of assets, the Lakers will have to give up a player like Horton-Tucker if they want to make an actual move towards contention. They really can’t trade a draft pick until 2027 because of previous commitments with the New Orleans Pelicans and some strange NBA rules. It just doesn’t seem like they’ll come close to the “blown away” offer they will need to get the Jazz to budge.