Lakers: LA Should Get In On Trade Bidding War For Recent Lottery Pick

LA now has oodles of second rounders with which to do battle.

Your Los Angeles Lakers may not be done dealmaking just yet.

LA has made three trades already in the few weeks leading into today's noon deadline. Today's latest, which greatly improves the Denver Nuggets' backup center spot, ships out reserve big Thomas Bryant in exchange for three second round-draft selections, thus replenishing the supply Los Angeles depleted in its other two moves. The club had offloaded four second-rounders.

The Golden State Warriors are finally looking to move on from some of their young lottery talent, in favor of win-now assets to help (checks notes) 34-year-old Stephen Curry and 32-year-old Klay Thompson and Draymond Green try to win some more titles. Sources inform Jason Dumas of Bleacher Report that Golden State swingman Moses Moody, the 14th pick in 2021, is available via trade, though the Warriors are asking for more than rival clubs are willing to give.

The athletic Moody is 6'6" with a 7'1" wingspan, and though he could still improve in the strength and speed department, he proved that he could be a useful two-way contributor to a title-bound Dubs team last season, oftentimes defending tough perimeter covers in the playoffs. In just 14.7 minutes this season, the 20-year-old out of Arkansas is averaging five points on .444/.353/.703 shooting for Golden State. He's also chipping in 1.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists. His value has taken a hit, as he is not about to fetch the Warriors another lottery pick in a return deal. The Lakers shouldn't even include a first-rounder in their bid for him. Two seconds feels more than fair for his services. Moody would essentially be another talented body, with upside, to help the Lakers shore up their perimeter defense.

The Warriors are also interested finally accepting the mulligan on No. 2 2020 draft pick James Wiseman, reports Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Mercifully, Golden State apparently is fairly down the road on deals with the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs, so hopefully the Lakers steer clear of him. He is an incredibly raw talent with some upside, but he does not fit LA's current timeline. Jarred Vanderbilt, LA's new third big, is pretty darn good already. Wenyen Gabriel has proven to be a useful contributor as the team's fourth big. That's enough.