La Marcus Aldridge guarded by Steven Adams (Photo : Ronald Cortes | Getty Images Sport)
The LA Lakers are always involved in trade rumors as their GM and co-owner Jim Buss have put their jobs on the line.
With pundits projecting the Lakers' young core as "not good enough to make the playoffs" it is often predicted that the team will make a blockbuster deal down the line.
The trade rumors abound with DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Love, Paul George and Jimmy Butler all linked with the Tinseltown team, but virtually any star is fair game for a rumor. Even the sagacious Zach Lowe of ESPN, known as America's best sports writer, believes there's a possibility.
But Lowe has a trade target out of left field in LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs. Yes, Lowe did predict that Aldridge may be in trade talks.
"The Spurs will see if this team outperforms expectations. If it doesn't, theyshould take calls on Aldridge. If opportunism meets desperation, the Spurs could fleece some rival and restock with a bundle of assets that better line up with Leonard's timetable," Lowe said.
He cited the blue and gold as a possible taker. "The Lakers have a ton of young talent -- and top decision-makers clinging to jobs."
To be fair, Lowe's declaration was highly conditional and before any trade with the Lakers could even be considered, the young core must prove their worth.
Playing with the hypothetical situation that Lowe paints, which Lakers players could fit the Spurs system (or at least pique the interest of Gregg Popovich)?
Julius Randle is a possibility. He is a solid post player who can rebound and is also being developed into a Draymond Green-type of player. Lakers head coach Luke Walton's comments to NBA.com on whether the two players can be compared supported that (h/t Silver Screen and Roll).
"Absolutely," Walton said when asked if Randle could be compared to Green. "I think it's a good comparison. They're both phenomenal athletes. They can pass the ball. Draymond is right now obviously a better shooter, but Julius puts in the time every day on that jumpshot, so I think that would be someone that you could compare him to down the road."
Brandon Ingram is also a fit simply because the Spurs need a shooting wing player. His length and athleticism doesn't hurt either. He could play behind Kawhi Leonard or push the defensive player to the four spot in a small-ball lineup. That gives the Spurs a double-barreled threat from the three point line at the position.
Lowe is still conservative that the deal could actually happen as the team is obviously gunning for no less than the title. Thus, the condition is that if the Spurs fail to project themselves as contenders early in the season. That's quite unlikely, though.
