Lakers Looking to Find Trade Partner For 4th Time This Offseason, Recently Acquired Player Reportedly On Market

The Los Angeles Lakers have a little more than a week to get down to 15 players. The Lakers entered training camp with 16 players on standard contracts, as they were going to let the players compete for the final spots. However, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said before camp that they might look to make a 2-for-1 deal rather than waive a player.

Los Angeles is 2-1 in the preseason despite yet having a full squad. While the record isn’t important, the Lakers — who have nine new players on the roster — develop chemistry, and JJ Redick must get a sense of his rotation.

Luka Dončić has been productive in his two games, though the efficiency has not been there, as is to be expected. Dončić, who sat out the Lakers’ preseason loss to Golden State as it was the second night of a back-to-back, hadn’t been on the court since injuring his hamstring in early April.

Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Cameron Carr, and Jake LaRavia have played well. Ziaire Williams was very productive in his lone outing, while Jarred Vanderbilt has been effective in limited minutes.

Meanwhile,  the three players — Bronny James, Jaden Hardy and Dalton Knecht —  who are reportedly competing for the last two spots have had mixed results this preseason.

James figures to be safe despite his offensive struggles. James has been a major part of Redick’s second unit this preseason. While the 22-year-old has struggled to shoot, he has rebounded and distributed the ball well, though turnovers have been an issue. He averages 3.7 points, 4.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 turnovers while shooting 30.8% from the field and 16.7% from deep.

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Jaden Hardy (7) is defended by Sacramento Kings forward Alex Karaban (33) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Hardy is an offensive-minded guard who can shoot. Hardy has shown ability in his short time with the Lakers but has struggled with his shooting, fouling, and turnovers. The 24-year-old scored 13 points in 19 minutes against Golden State, though he was just 4-for-12 from the field and committed five turnovers.  In three preseason games, he averages

Knecht is believed to be the odd man out in this competition. After showing promise in his rookie season, Knecht struggled to get off the bench last season. When the 25-year-old did get on the court, he struggled with shooting and on defense.

Knecht saw 21 minutes against the Warriors as several Lakers sat, chipping in 11 points on 3-of-8 shooting, including 1-of-4 from deep. But he really didn’t do much otherwise. After not playing in Game 3 of the preseason, Knecht holds preseason averages of 5.5 points and 1.5 assists with shooting splits of 33.3/30.0/1.000.

While there is no official word, Lakers Insider Jovan Buha believes the Lakers will look to move Hardy. Hardy is one of the Lakers’ best shooters, but LA has a plethora of wings and needs to increase its frontcourt depth. Of the 21 players the Lakers have in camp, 10 are guards/wings, and just seven are true big men — with the size and ability to play either the 4 or 5 consistently.

“The funny thing is the Lakers are going to be trying to trade Jaden Hardy,” Buha said on Buha Block’s podcast. So I don’t know if Washington wants to take him back and what that price would… I mean, are the Lakers just going to end up sending back the Wizards picks and get
[ Bilal] Coulibaly or  [Justin] Champagnie instead of Hardy, like that would kind of be funny, but I think those are a couple names that could make some sense.”

Los Angeles acquired Hardy from Washington on July 7, along with two second-round draft picks (2030 and 2031), in exchange for Deandre Ayton.  The trade for Hardy was the team’s third of the offseason, a four-team draft-day deal for Carr and their sign-and-trade with Utah for Walker Kessler.

Speaking of Kessler, he has yet to suit up in the preseason after jamming his finger in practice before the Lakers’ first preseason contest. However, Kessler said earlier today that his “left pinky” feels good and he is ready to go.

“I think it would be a little different if I played last season, but because I didn’t play last season, I’m like, ‘Ah, I want to play really bad,'” Kessler said. “I’m ready to play, but I trust the staff, and I trust the trainers, the coaches and front office, you know? So yeah, just listening to them right now.”

While Kessler could play on Tuesday against Golden State, Collin Sexton will likely remain out. Sexton, who is dealing with a lower-body injury, is a little behind Kessler in his recovery, per Redick, though he is expected to be ready for opening night. Meanwhile, Williams is dealing with a foot contusion.

Not sure what exactly to make of Buha’s report that the Lakers will look to move on from Hardy. It does make sense even if they cut Knecht as expected.

The bigger issue for the Lakers will be to find a trade partner and get something “worthwhile back”. Hardy has shown some ability to score over his four years in the Association and is a solid 3-point shooter — averaging 1.4 threes at 38.6% for his career.

Now a return to Washington is somewhat puzzling. The biggest question is why would the Wizards want Hardy back?

Hardy played well for the Wizards after they acquired him from Dallas at the trade deadline, along with Anthony Davis.  But the Wizards have a full backcourt with Trae Young, Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George and Tre Mann. Let’s face it, Hardy isn’t better than any of those five, and the Wizards are planning on contending, so they won’t have development minutes like last season.

Also, Champaignie is a pipe dream for the Lakers at this point, as he is a valuable reserve for the Wizards. Now, Couibaly may be a different story, but it would be surprising if the Wizards decided to part ways with the 22-year-old, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, before the season begins. He has seen 18 minutes off the bench for them during this preseason and has been a starter for much of his career.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin, Oncea-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect