Everything about the Los Angeles Lakers is major. NBA fans know what we’re talking about. The Lakers are a major brand. They play in a major market, so they’re always linked to major trade targets.
The 2023-24 season has been no exception. The Lakers are said to be looking at Zach LaVine. More recently, they’ve been linked to Dejounte Murray. If a big-name player is said to be on the trade market, odds are, someone thinks that the Lakers will acquire them.
They might. LaVine’s trade value is allegedly low – the Lakers could have enough to acquire him. With that said, they could look to the Chicago Bulls to acquire a role player instead. How about Andre Drummond?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land Chicago Bulls’ Andre Drummond
Chicago Bulls Receive: F/C Christian Wood, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Andre Drummond
With that said, major trade targets change. There was a time when a team would have given up a lot more than this for Drummond. There was a time when teams would have also given more than this up for Wood.
Their stories are similar. At the same time, they’re different. Drummond was once a star player for the Detroit Pistons. Ultimately, the game would leave him behind as a rebounding specialist.
Wood was a potential star for…the Pistons. He’s an archetypical modern big, but he’s never reached the heights of stardom.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Why not? Well, Wood’s effort levels have frequently been questioned. His defense is typically weak. This year, he’s largely fallen out of the Lakers’ rotation.
Should the Bulls take him on?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Trick question. The Bulls don’t do this deal for Wood. Although, he is a fair bit younger than Drummond. Chicago could be interested in Wood as a rotation player moving forward.
Still, the Bulls do this deal if they decide to rebuild. Drummond won’t net them a king’s ransom – again, he’s an aging rebounding specialist. A pair of second-round picks should satisfy this front office.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Ideally, this isn’t the only move that Chicago will make ahead of the trade deadline. If they can move LaVine, Alex Caruso, and DeMar DeRozan, they should come away with a surplus of assets.
Should the Lakers send them any assets?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
We’ve described Drummond as a rebounding specialist twice. That might be a little reductive. Drummond provides a semblance of rim protection, and he can still finish pick-and-roll sets as well.
That ought to be enough for the Lakers. Any shortcomings that Drummond has as a rim protector will be mitigated by playing alongside Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, his ability to roll to the rim should make him a nice compliment alongside LeBron James.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
By contrast, the Lakers seem tired of Wood’s lackadaisical effort. This aging, win-now team doesn’t need to cling to second-round picks, either. This is a good move for the Lakers – whether it’s major or not.
