After the Los Angeles Lakers acquired forward Rui Hachimura on Monday, everyone is wondering if they will make another move in an attempt to contend for an NBA championship right away.
Many have felt Los Angeles would be in the market for another frontcourt player. The player most often linked to them these days is Bojan Bogdanovic, a 3-point bomber who is currently with the Detroit Pistons. However, the Pistons’ asking price for him is likely too high for the Lakers to pull the trigger.
Another option, according to Brian Windhorst, is to upgrade the backcourt instead. If it goes that route, it could opt to acquire either a ball-handling guard or someone who is more of a wing who can play the 2 and the 3.
When it comes to the latter option, Caris LeVert could be a trade target for the Lakers.
Via Hoops Wire (h/t Lakers Daily):
“So far everyone from the Pistons to the (Charlotte) Hornets to (Los Angeles) Clippers and (Utah) Jazz has expressed an interest in LeVert,” Sam Amico of Hoops Wire reported. “And yes, even the Lakers have kicked around the idea of a LeVert trade in their scanning of rival rosters in their search for more help, sources told Hoops Wire. (In fact, it’s been said that LeVert is a favorite of LeBron James.)”
LeVert is a seven-year veteran who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been in and out of their starting lineup, and the Lakers are in the market for a reliable starting-caliber player at the 3.
He stands 6-foot-6 and has always been a potent scorer and secondary playmaker, but efficiency has always been an issue. He has never shot better than 45% from the field for an entire season, and his 3-point accuracy has always fluctuated.
While he is shooting lights-out from downtown this month, he struggled from that distance throughout November and December.
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