Lakers Trade Targets with 2023 Trade Deadline 2 Months Away

With two months left until the 2022-23 NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers should have a good feel for how to proceed this trade season.

Based on the recently torrid play from Anthony Davis, the Purple and Gold could be more motivated to act than ever.

"Up until recently, the front office was close to letting this year's Lakers die on the vine," B/R's Eric Pincus wrote. "But this recent surge makes a trade more likely than the alternative. Going for it this season is more of an option with Davis playing this well, picks and future cap space be damned."

The Lakers can dream big—not that anyone needs to tell them that, apparently—but given their limited assets, they probably aren't bringing back a star. However, the following three role players could really help this club.

Alec Burks turned 31 this past summer. After this season, his contract has nothing beyond a team option remaining.

He obviously isn't part of the rebuilding Pistons' long-term plans.

Ship him to Hollywood, though, and he'd immediately address a need for reliable perimeter depth. He may not have one standout skill, but he does a lot of different things at serviceable levels or better.

He's a 38 percent three-point shooter for his career, a willing defender and a capable secondary table-setter. The veteran wouldn't need long to find his fit alongside Davis and LeBron James.

Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka might consider making a weekend trip to the Motor City, because the Pistons have several useful veterans win-now shoppers are sure to prioritize.

Bojan Bogdanović tops that list.

The 33-year-old is a super-skilled scorer who could thrive as L.A.'s third option. The 39.4 percent career three-point shooter can feast on catch-and-fire looks, but when he needs to create, he can find looks for himself (20.4 points per game this season) or for his teammates (2.5 assists). He isn't an elite athlete by any stretch, but his smarts and toughness usually help him hold his own defensively.

If the Lakers are realistic about their trade budget, Bogndaović has to rank prominently among their priority targets.

While the Lakers focused on getting younger and more athletic on the wings this offseason, a deadline deal for Kelly Oubre Jr. would make the position more dynamic.

He has moon-boots bounce, and he knows how to use it in the open floor and above the rim. When he locks in defensively, his length and athleticism make him an asset.

It would help if he had a more reliable three-ball (career 33 percent), but he's shot at an average clip and on a high volume before. Not to mention, he can pile up points without it. He's pumping in a career-high 20.4 points per game as we speak.

With the Hornets struggling to gain any traction this season, Oubre could be up for grabs. He turns 27 this month and is unsigned past this season, so his days in Charlotte might be numbered.