Trade rumors: Ranking the Rockets top-9 trade partners

Houston Rockets trade partner rankings: 5. Los Angeles Lakers

The current holders of the crown, the Los Angeles Lakers have some interesting pieces they could reasonably offer the Rockets. Looking to make a repeat championship run, it is possible that they want to make some tweaks before the playoffs come rolling around.

Their draft situation is dire, a natural result of acquiring a player of Anthony Davis’s caliber. However, they do have several players the Rockets could explore.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, Alex Caruso can all contribute as role players and none of them are on the wrong side of 30. Though not exactly what the Rockets are likely looking for, it would not be crazy to see any of them offered in a package.

Kyle Kuzma is more in line with what the Rockets would seek. He is young, talented, on a good contract, and makes sense from a position standpoint as well. Many NBA fans have come to over-criticize Kuzma due to there being a decent deal of hype around him in his rookie year.

He may not be an All-Star like many thought he would, but he is still a good young player to have in your rotation. It feels unlikely that the Lakers are the team the Rockets will end up making a deal with. That being said, they are certainly not the worst option that Houston has.

Next: #4