Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report recently proposed a four-team trade idea between the Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks.
In Pincus’ trade idea, the Lakers land Jakob Poeltl from the Raptors and Lonzo Ball from the Chicago Bulls.
To acquire Poeltl and Ball, Pincus has the Lakers parting ways with Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt and Shake Milton.
Los Angeles needs a center for Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Poeltl fits that bill. He averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds for the Raptors this season while shooting 62.7% from the field.
“Poeltl is not flashy, but he’s a legit 7’0″, 260-pound center who averaged 14.5 points and 62.7 percent shooting with 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Against the Boston Celtics, he scored a career-high 35 points with 12 rebounds. He fills one of the two needs at the position,” Pincus wrote.
Ball actually began his career with the Lakers. He appeared in 35 games this season after missing two years in a row with a serious knee injury. The UCLA product averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Bulls.
“Ball adds size, defensive and offensive acceleration off the bench as a high-potential role player alongside Doncic. While the Lakers lose Vanderbilt’s disruptive defense, his lack of offensive skill proved somewhat problematic in the postseason,” Pincus wrote.
Poeltl will make $19.5 million next season, while Ball will make $10 million. Lakers head coach JJ Redick could start Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James and Poeltl.
James, 40, has a player option to return to the Lakers next season. He’s expected to pick up the option, which is worth $52.6 million.
Los Angeles can sign Doncic to a four-year, $229 million contract starting on August 2. Doncic will make $45.9 million next season. He’s expected to sign an extension with the Lakers this offseason.
The Lakers were the third seed in the West this year. They lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs in five games.
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