The Los Angeles Lakers are becoming a frequent topic of possible trade scenarios with another doomed season looming in LA.
With the way things are going for the Lakers, their 2015-2016 NBA season are pretty much over. But with a top prospect like Ben Simmons up for grabs next year, the Lakers could certainly hope for a better future.
The Lakers are at the bottom of the league standings with a 2-13 record, while riding on a five-game losing streak.
Part of LA's season woes maybe because of Kobe Bryant's poor shooting and Byron Scott's mismanagement of the Black Mamba's minutes, which hinders the development of the team's young core of talents.
Scott has told ESPN's Baxter Holmes that he has no plans of benching Bryant despite the aging superstar posting a career low 31.1 percent from the field and 19.5 from the three-point area.
"I would never, never, never do that," Scott said. "That's not an option whatsoever."
All of these are pointing at the Lakers tanking for this season to possibly get their hands at LSU Tigers freshman Simmons, who is considered as consensus top prospect for next year's draft.
Hoops Habit's Chris Walton reported that the Lakers are "definitely heading towards the NBA Draft Lottery in 2016" and there could be a chance for Lakerland to land Simmons.
The Lakers have top-three protection on their draft selection in June, which they acquired from the Steve Nash trade in 2012. If they keep on losing and the ping-pong balls give them some of the magic in this year's draft, Los Angeles has a great chance of having another top-prospect.
Simmons averaged 16 points, 11.6 rebounds, and six assists in his first five games with the Tigers. But what makes him special is his ability to make plays using his 6-foot-10 frame, which earns him comparisons to NBA demigods Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Lebron James.
But if the Lakers are really planning on investing for the near future, it would be best for them to start their move as early as now, which could mean dealing the team's tradable assets.
In a forum from Real GM, a fan proposed a three-way trade with the Lakers, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies involving Ryan Kelly, Lou Williams, and Nick Young.
The Lakers send Kelly, Williams, and Young to the Grizzlies and receive Brandon Jennings from the Pistons.
The Grizzlies then get all three Lakers and Pistons' 2nd round pick and send Jeff Green to Detroit.
Memphis getting three Lakers players would be ideal, giving them a pack of scoring punch, while the Green would serve as a solid backup for the Pistons' power forward position.
On the other hand, the trade scenario would be very beneficial for the Lakers if they really intend to tank for Simmons. It would also open up plenty of cap-space to chase one or two All-Star players.
The Lakers' season may already be in demise, but the Lakers future looks bright. If a trade like this would go down this season, it can only mean one thing: Ben Simmons.