The Los Angeles Lakers will enter training camp with the depth at small forward position still the biggest issue in the team's current roster. With the possibility of acquiring former no.2 overall pick Michael Beasley becoming far-fetched, the Lakers should explore for other talents on the trading front.
Despite missing elite free-agents last summer, the Lakers managed to form a decent lineup of veterans and youngster for another tough grind next season.
Two-time All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer and point guard Jeremy Lin might have given the Lakers a boost at their respective positions, but the team still needs to fill a gaping hole at the wing position.
The Lakers tried to address this issue last August when they held a private workout for Beasley, the former Kansas State standout and no.2 overall pick in 2008 Draft.
Beasley averaged 7.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in limited minutes for the Heat last year. Many analysts believed the former Wildcats star could be a good fit for the Lakers, but contract hasn't been reached up to now mainly because of Beasley's demand of a more lucrative paycheck.
Aside from Beasley, there are also reports of possible reunion of Byron Scott and his former starting small forward Alonzo Gee, who is having a whirlwind of an offseason after being traded to three teams (New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings).
While Gee and Beasley are capable of providing solid stats as a winger, neither can be a long term solution for the Lakers. Of course, Kevin Durant is the main free-agency target two years from now, but there are other talented young players out there who can emerge as a star for the purple-and-gold - one of them is Gerald Green.
According to Bleacher Report writer Alec Nathan, Green could be an ideal trade bait for the Phoenix Suns. Green had a breakout year last season, averaging 15.8 points and shot 40 percent from beyond the arc. However, the Suns already signed P.J. Tucker to a three-year, $16.5 million deal and drafted T.J Warren, making Green dispensable.
"With Tucker and Warren possessing a nice combination of shooting, raw scoring ability and perimeter defense, Green could be expendable once the season gets underway," according to Bleacher Report writer.
Green, who will pocket $3.5 million in the final year of his contract, could demand next summer a hefty price tag from the Suns, who are already facing a hard task locking up both incoming free-agents Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic next year.
How the Lakers Can Get Green?
The Lakers could get Green by trading away Jordan Hill and a second round pick. The Suns may have the deepest backcourt in the league, but the team is in need of big man after losing Channing Frye and Emeka Okafor to free-agency.
Hill, who averaged 9.7 points and 7.4 rebounds last season, would be a solid backup for either center Miles Plumlee or power forward Markieff Moris. On the other hand, the Lakers can use Green either as a spark off the bench or a starting wingman because of his athleticism and efficiency beyond the arc.
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