The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly taking steps to improve as they gear up for their defence of the 2020 NBA title.
According to separate reports from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Lakers are nearing a deal that would send Sixth Man of the Year Finalist Dennis Schröder to Los Angeles in exchange for guard Danny Green and the No. 28 pick in the upcoming draft, which takes place on Nov. 19, 2020 (IST).
Lakers guard Danny Green and the No. 28 overall pick have been a focus of the trade discussions for Schroder, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/KOAcjyIked
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
It is worth noting that the deal cannot be technically agreed upon until after 10:30 p.m. IST on Monday, Nov. 16, which is when the NBA's moratorium period comes to an end.
Additionally, in accordance with the NBA's Stepien Rule, which states a team cannot be without first-round picks in any two consecutive drafts, the Lakers cannot complete the trade until they make the selection, as they owe the New Orleans Pelicans a first-round pick in 2021.
The LA Lakers owe New Orleans a protected 1st in 2021 and the trade cannot be made until after LAL selects. https://t.co/B4oUx5WpQb
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 15, 2020
The 2019-20 season saw the 27-year-old Schröder average 18.9 points and 4.0 assists on .469/.385/.839 shooting splits over 65 games (two starts) with OKC, resulting in him being one of three finalists for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award. In seven postseason games, Schröder averaged 17.3 points and 3.6 assists as the Thunder fell one win shy of advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Schröder, who is owed $15.5 million this upcoming season, will be a free agent in the offseason of 2021.
Green, 33, started in all 68 regular-season games in which he appeared, averaging 8.0 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 36.7% from beyond the arc. The three-time champion started in all 21 of the Lakers postseason games, where he again averaged 8.0 points, though his 3-point shooting decreased to 33.9%. He, too, will be a free agent following the 2020-21 season.
Stick with NBA.com for more updates surrounding this developing situation.
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