Lakers could target $60 million center via trade with Knicks for playoff push

The Los Angeles Lakers are 3-1 and it appears the MVP frontrunner in Anthony Davis is leading the way. After a quiet offseason, new head coach JJ Redick is getting the most out of his players, both stars and bench players, and the Lakers look like the most dangerous team in the Western Conference.

Despite their dominance, the Lakers have been included in their fair share of trade rumors. Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler has long been linked to them as a backup option behind Davis, but if another team offers a package big enough for the young center, the Lakers may have to pivot.

After adding Karl-Anthony Towns via trade this summer, the New York Knicks have an excellent starting lineup, although Mitchell Robinson, who started 31 games last season, appears to be the odd man out.

Robinson is dealing with an ankle injury and won’t return to the court until January, so the Knicks could be motivated to trade him for a player who can make an immediate impact. The Lakers, on the other hand, are cruising and may not need a depth piece until the postseason arrives, so there would be no rush to reinstate Robinson.

Between Cam Reddish, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and even D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers have enough players they can send to New York to match his salary. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is known as a defensive guru, so sending Vanderbilt, who has also struggled with injuries, makes sense, especially since the Lakers could play Jaxson Hayes or Christian Wood in his place.

While this trade idea doesn’t bring much change for either team, both franchises are looking for an edge in a season of parity where the road to the championship is wide open.

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