Recently, Bleacher Report predicted several trades that seem quite “shocking” in its latest article, including Zach LaVine joining the Lakers and Kawhi Leonard moving from the Clippers to the Golden State Warriors. The trade involving LaVine states that the Lakers acquire Zach LaVine from the Bulls, sending out players including Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Jared Vanderbilt, and Jaxson Hayes.
LaVine averaged 24.8 points per game in the 2022-23 season, shooting 48.5%, 37.5% from three-point range, and 84.8% from the free-throw line. According to sports journalist Grant Hughes, this trade would bring elite scoring ability to the Lakers. However, there are indeed risks, such as LaVine only playing 25 games last year due to foot surgery and having a remaining three years on his contract worth $138 million.
However, it’s worth noting that the Lakers did not give up any draft picks in this trade. His arrival would improve their offensive performance of 115.5 points per 100 possessions. Meanwhile, the Bulls retained their draft picks, breaking LaVine’s large contract into four smaller ones, and removed the biggest obstacle in their rebuilding process.
The idea of Leonard moving to the Warriors is quite imaginative. Bleacher Report proposed a trade where the Warriors acquire Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers, sending out players including Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Moses Moody, an unprotected first-round pick in 2028, a protected first-round pick in 2030 (1-3 and 21-30), and a first-round swap in 2029. Their reasoning is that based on their attempts to sign Paul George this summer, they can accept Leonard’s contract. To put the Warriors back in contention for the championship, they need a true second-in-command to support Curry. Leonard played 68 games last season, surpassing Curry in both estimated plus-minus (per minute contribution) and estimated wins (cumulative contribution).
As for the Clippers, they have always sought financial flexibility. Wiggins’ remaining $85 million is significantly less than Leonard’s, while Looney and Payton’s contracts are nearing expiration, and Moody is a quality rotation player. The draft picks and swaps offered by the Warriors should be very appealing to the Clippers, as they do not have first-round picks in 2026 or 2028.
Finally, will these two trades really happen?
How Can the Lakers and Warriors Return to Championship Contention? US Media: LaVine Teams Up with James and Davis; Leonard Joins Forces with Curry. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/basketball-headlines/how-can-the-lakers-and-warriors-return-to-championship-contention-us-media-lavine-teams-up-with-james-and-davis-leonard-joins-forces-with-curry.html
