5 wildly unrealistic Lakers' trade ideas you're going to hear

5 wildly unrealistic Lakers trade ideas you’re going to hear a lot this summer

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Staples Center on February 26, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE. /

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1): Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans

After missing an entire season amid some pain between the New Orleans Pelicans and their former number-one pick, it appears that Zion Williamson is preparing for divorce. He was present for the team’s run to the number-eight seed during the play-in, so that’s a good sign for long shots, but he will be in every trade rumor possible this offseason.

That includes a rumor with the Lakers. Williamson is supposed to be the NBA’s next great star. Right now, the NBA is being run by a lot of older stars. The only real “stars” from the younger generation are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid. It’s still LeBron, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant that sell the most merchandise.

There is a clear “next generation” in the NBA right now. Looking past Embiid and Giannis, there’s Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, and Ja Morant. Zion Williamson is supposed to be in that conversation, but he just hasn’t shown that type of star power yet. For two reasons, fans will desperately want him now. One, he has a chance to be the best player in the league if everything works in his favor. There are a select few people in the world that can really make this distinction. Two, he will come at a much cheaper price than any of the other stars on this list.

Williamson is a distressed asset. Sometimes, getting a distressed asset gets you a superstar for a cheaper price. Other times, that distressed asset continues to be distressed. Either way, this is a risk for the Lakers, but it’s also something they have to do if it’s available. It just doesn’t seem like it will be for them.

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