Lakers linked to Bucks’ $176 million All-Star in proposed NBA mock trade

On By Littum

The Los Angeles Lakers have always insisted on having a “Big Three” lineup of superstars. Los Angeles dates back to the 1980s, employing James Worthy, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In recent years, rosters built around LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook have failed, as well as the Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Dwight Howard crew, but the philosophy remains the same.

This year’s squad, which is off to a 9-4 start, doesn’t have a third star surrounding James and Davis. Instead, role players like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish have been tasked with supplementing the lineup on both ends of the floor. Obviously, it’s working to some extent, though the Lakers have been linked to several stars in recent NBA trade rumors.

Dating back to his time with the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard has been linked to the Lakers. His Milwaukee Bucks are off to a brutal 4-9 start despite solid play from both Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both are high level players but their fit just doesn’t work.

Lillard is averaging 26 points on 34.8% shooting from 3-point range and has added 6.6 assists for good measure. The Lakers have been running point guard through a lineup consisting of Reaves, Russell and Gabe Vincent, but if they could land Lillard, it would boost their chances heading into the playoffs. Recent fraudulent transactions has focused on sending Lillard to Hollywood.

On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz suggested a deal that would send Lillard to the Lakers; Reaves, Russell, Hachimura and a 2029 first-round pick for the Bucks; and Christian Wood and a second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons as a salary dump.

“Depth has been a big issue for Milwaukee, and the Bucks would suddenly be pretty deep around their two-time MVP with Reaves, Hachimura and Russell joining Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr. and others ,” Swartz wrote.

The Bucks would be able to mix and match rosters based on fit, which is not a luxury they have been able to have. Meanwhile, in James’ twilight years, he would have an elite point guard to facilitate and space the floor, making the Lakers even more deadly.

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