The Los Angeles Lakers may consider trading for one of the few big men available in the market following Timofey Mozgov's recent injury.
The Lakers could look for an alternative at the center position as early as the offseason, with Timofey Mozgov suffering a groin injury playing for Russia at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
NBA.com reported that Mozgov will undergo MRI and will be re-evaluated sometime this week. While the severity of Mozgov's injury is still uncertain, there is a possibility the 30-year-old Russian won't be ready once the season starts.
According to a report from Sportsrageous, the Lakers may consider trading for Philadelphia 76ers big man Jahlil Okafor, who has also been linked to Los Angeles numerous times this offseason.
It is no secret that the 76ers may ultimately consider moving one of their big men, and Okafor is increasingly becoming the expendable piece in the team's roster. Okafor, who averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in his rookie season, would give the Lakers an offensive threat inside the paint, something they lack with their current roster.
Any potential trade for Okafor won't probably involve any of the Lakers' talented youngsters. While the 76ers would surely entertain a deal involving D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson or Brandon Ingram, it is hardly imaginable to see such deal materialize at this point.
However, one possible trade scenario that may work for both teams is sending Nick Young and Anthony Brown to the 76ers for Okafor in a deal that works on ESPN's trade machine.
Young has long been considered as the odd man out in LA and it surely won't hurt the Lakers including Brown in a trade deal.
Young only averaged 7.3 points per game last season, while shooting a dismal 33.9 percent from the field. But those numbers were only accounted for a total of 54 games and 19.1 minutes off the bench. Young was under-utilized by the Lakers last season, but he is still a capable scorer who could contribute off the bench for the 76ers.
Brown, on the other hand, also played limited minutes for the Lakers last season, but has shown promising skills to emerge as a 3-and-D guy.
Adding Young and Brown should help in surrounding Ben Simmons enough shooters and maximize the Aussie phenom's playmaking abilities.
It may be too early for the Lakers to consider looking for an alternative at the center position as Mozgov's absence would also give Ivica Zubac a great opportunity to showcase his skills. However, Young has long been considered an expendable piece and a right deal may entice 76ers to give up Okafor to LA.