Proposed three-team Lakers trade sends point guard to Mavericks for $175 million superstar

Proposed three-team Lakers trade sends point guard to Mavericks for $175 million superstar originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With the Los Angeles Lakers being a large market franchise known for attracting high-profile talent, it’s safe to say they’ll always be a hot commodity on the trade market.

Do the Lakers need to make a move before the Feb. 5 trade deadline to have any chance of reaching the NBA Finals?

While Los Angeles is in far better shape than they was last November, it would be wise to add another frontcourt contributor to balance out their roster.

In a proposed three-team blockbuster trade idea, the Lakers would send a 6-foot-2 point guard to the Dallas Mavericks for a 6-foot-10 superstar forward.

“Los Angeles is one of the few teams with flexibility, expiring contracts, and a clear identity centered around an MVP-caliber Luka (Doncic),” Hoops Habit’s Rafal Fabianowicz wrote Saturday.

“The organization also has a strong understanding of (Anthony) Davis’ value, what he looks like at his peak, and how to build a roster that maximizes his presence.”

“The Lakers have long been the environment where Davis has thrived. The team protected him physically, allowed him to share responsibilities with other bigs, and created a structure that supported longer stretches of health.

“With Dallas under pressure and Davis’ value dropping, Los Angeles can craft a package using its expiring contracts and a future first-round pick.”

Fabianowicz’s full trade proposal sends Davis to the Lakers, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, a 2031 first-round pick, and three swaps to the Mavericks, and Dalton Knecht and a 2032 second-round pick (via the Lakers).

While not impossible, landing Davis doesn’t appear to be a viable option for the Lakers.

If the Lakers were fed up with Davis’ injury-prone ways last season (prompting them to trade him to the Mavericks for Doncic), why would they change their tune this year?

At the same time, there aren’t many frontcourt assets on the trade market as skilled as Davis, which could tempt the Lakers to make another shocking trade with the Mavericks.

If the Lakers execute Fabianowicz’s trade idea, the franchise would finally get to wash its hands of Vincent after a lackluster tenure in Los Angeles.

The former Miami Heat guard hasn’t done much of anything to make the Lakers feel vindicated about their decision to sign him in 2023.

Vincent, once a competent offensive player, is averaging 3.7 points and 1.6 assists per game this season.

Fabianowicz’s trade concept is interesting, to say the least.

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