A huge new trade proposal could land the Lakers a $27 million center.
Lakers Could Land $27M Center in Massive New Trade Proposal
As the NBA offseason continues to unfold, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves actively seeking ways to improve their roster and contend for championships in the coming seasons. While the Lakers already boast one of the league’s top duos in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the team knows that in order to truly compete for the title, they need to add depth and improve certain areas of their lineup. In particular, the Lakers are in need of a legitimate center who can provide rim protection, rebounding, and scoring on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers have been linked to several trade rumors throughout the offseason, with a recent proposal suggesting that the team could land a center earning $27 million per year. This trade would not only add a valuable big man to their roster but could also shake up the balance of power in the Western Conference, giving the Lakers a more well-rounded team to support their championship aspirations.
In this article, we’ll break down the potential trade proposal, how the Lakers could pull it off, and how adding this $27 million center would impact the team both in the short and long term.
The Trade Proposal: Acquiring a $27M Center
The $27 million center in question is none other than Jusuf Nurkić, the starting center for the Portland Trail Blazers. Nurkić, a talented and skilled big man, has been a key player for the Blazers in recent years, though injuries have hindered his consistency. When healthy, Nurkić brings a versatile game to the center position, with the ability to score inside, protect the rim, and rebound at a high level.
As of the 2023-2024 NBA season, Nurkić is set to make $27 million in salary. He has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly when paired with star guard Damian Lillard, but his injury history and Portland’s ongoing rebuild have led to speculation that the Blazers may look to move on from him and focus on developing their younger players. The Lakers, in search of a reliable center to complement their two superstars, may find this a perfect opportunity to acquire Nurkić and strengthen their roster for the 2024 season.
In this potential trade proposal, the Lakers would likely send out several role players and draft assets to the Blazers in exchange for Nurkić. Here’s a breakdown of how the trade could potentially work:
- Lakers Receive:
- Jusuf Nurkić (Center)
- Blazers Receive:
- D’Angelo Russell (Point Guard)
- Troy Brown Jr. (Forward)
- 2025 First-Round Pick
- 2026 Second-Round Pick
This trade would help the Lakers by addressing their need for a true center, while also providing the Blazers with an opportunity to retool their roster around their younger talent, particularly Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Russell, who had an up-and-down tenure with the Lakers last season, could find a better fit in Portland’s rebuilding system, while Troy Brown Jr. would provide additional depth at the forward position.
In addition to the players involved, the draft picks would be important assets for the Blazers as they look to build for the future. A first-round pick and a second-round pick would provide them with further opportunities to add young talent, whether through the draft or trade.
Why the Lakers Want Nurkić
The Lakers’ interest in acquiring Jusuf Nurkić makes perfect sense given the team’s current roster construction and needs. While the Lakers already have Anthony Davis at the center position, Davis has shown time and time again that he is more comfortable as a power forward. His versatility allows him to play both positions, but his ideal role is as a roaming big man who can guard multiple positions and operate in the frontcourt. With Davis primarily focusing on the power forward spot, the Lakers need a traditional center who can fill the void on both ends of the floor.
Here’s how Nurkić would help the Lakers in various aspects of the game:
- Rim Protection and Defense: One of Nurkić’s biggest strengths is his ability to protect the rim. Standing at 7 feet tall and weighing over 290 pounds, Nurkić has the size and strength to be an imposing presence in the paint. While not necessarily a shot-blocking machine like Rudy Gobert, Nurkić’s physicality and positioning make him an excellent deterrent around the basket. Pairing him with Anthony Davis would give the Lakers one of the most formidable defensive frontcourts in the NBA.Davis has always been one of the league’s top shot blockers and defenders, and having Nurkić as a traditional center would allow Davis to focus more on switching, perimeter defense, and guarding opposing forwards. With both players on the floor together, the Lakers would become a nightmare for opposing offenses trying to score in the paint.
- Rebounding: Another area in which Nurkić excels is rebounding. Over the past several seasons, he has consistently averaged around 10 rebounds per game. His ability to clean the glass on both ends would be a huge asset to the Lakers, who have sometimes struggled in that department. With Davis focusing more on his offensive game, Nurkić would give the Lakers a reliable rebounder who can secure second-chance opportunities for his team.
- Offensive Versatility: While Nurkić is known primarily for his defense and rebounding, he also brings some offensive skills to the table. Nurkić is a capable scorer in the post, with a soft touch around the basket. He can finish with both hands and has a respectable mid-range jumper, making him a versatile threat in the paint. His ability to space the floor, although not as deadly as other bigs, would still provide enough offensive balance to complement the Lakers’ superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.Furthermore, Nurkić has shown that he can pass the ball effectively for a center, averaging around 3-4 assists per game. His passing ability would allow the Lakers to run some interesting offensive sets, with Nurkić as a facilitator in the high post or as a secondary playmaker. This could be especially useful when LeBron James is resting, as Nurkić could help run the offense alongside other Lakers guards.
- Veteran Leadership: Nurkić, at 29 years old, is not only a physical presence but also a veteran player with playoff experience. While the Blazers have not been title contenders in recent years, Nurkić has been a part of their roster during some competitive seasons. His experience would be valuable to the Lakers, who need players who understand the intensity and pressure of the postseason. In a locker room with the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Nurkić’s leadership would add to the Lakers’ championship aspirations.
How the Trade Benefits the Blazers
While the Lakers are the clear winners in this scenario, the Portland Trail Blazers also stand to gain significant assets from this potential trade. Moving Nurkić would signal that the Blazers are fully committing to their rebuild, with an emphasis on developing their younger players, particularly Scoot Henderson.
- D’Angelo Russell: D’Angelo Russell is a talented point guard who has struggled with consistency in recent years. However, his scoring ability and playmaking potential make him an intriguing piece for a rebuilding team like the Blazers. Russell can provide the Blazers with scoring and assist numbers, helping to ease the transition as the team develops its younger core.
- Troy Brown Jr.: Troy Brown Jr. is a versatile forward who has shown promise as a defensive specialist and a capable contributor on offense. His ability to guard multiple positions and provide depth at the forward spot would be beneficial for the Blazers, who need versatile players who can contribute on both ends of the floor.
- Draft Picks: The 2025 First-Round Pick and 2026 Second-Round Pick would give the Blazers additional opportunities to build for the future. The 2025 first-round pick could be particularly valuable if it’s a lottery pick, allowing Portland to select another young talent to join their core. These draft assets could also be used in future trade scenarios to acquire more pieces as the Blazers continue their rebuilding process.
