While the Los Angeles Lakers continue to work on trades for Pelicans star Anthony Davis, they have remained active in other discussions, as well. They are reportedly in the market for shooters, including the Pistons’ Reggie Bullock.
A less expected revelation comes from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on the Hoop Collective podcast, reporting that the Lakers and Bulls have had discussions of a trade involving Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jabari Parker (h/t Def Pen Hoops’ Rob Lopez):
Windhorst says Kentavious Caldwell- Pope is available and has been floated.
Windy says the Lakers have discussed a trade for Jabari Parker involving KCP but KCP has to approve to a trade given his contract situation. Also KCP for Jabari doesn't work straight up.
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) February 4, 2019
As noted above, a KCP for Parker trade straight-up does not work under the CBA, and it doesn’t really make sense for the Lakers, either. Parker is a former lottery pick but Caldwell-Pope is currently the better player and fit for the Lakers.
However, it could be part of a bigger deal. Chicago is reportedly one of the destinations Lonzo Ball and his camp are eyeing if he is indeed traded. Caldwell-Pope and Ball for Parker and draft picks works financially and it could procure the necessary draft assets for the Lakers to send to New Orleans for Davis.
That’s obviously speculatory and there’s no telling if that’s how a bigger trade would go down, but it seems likely that a third team will be needed if the Lakers are to acquire Davis. It makes sense that they would be searching for assets and cap space across the league to make it work.
