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Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - JULY 13: General manager Rob Pelinka (L) speaks during news conference where he introduced the newest player of the Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis (C) with head coach Frank Vogel looking on at UCLA Health Training Center on July 13, 2019 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

EL SEGUNDO, CA – JULY 13: General manager Rob Pelinka (L) speaks during news conference where he introduced the newest player of the Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis (C) with head coach Frank Vogel looking on at UCLA Health Training Center on July 13, 2019 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka watches practice at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers shouldn’t rest on their championship laurels when there are trades to be had.

The Lakers are fresh off of winning their first championship since 2010. However, in the words of LeBron James that were backed by the rest of the Lakers organization, “The job is not  done.”

While James was talking about not being content in the playoffs and coasting through a single game, the phrase also should be adopted when looking at the Lakers’ offseason.

The way that the league is appearing to be shaping up going into the 2020 offseason, there will be quite a few obstacles in the Lakers’ way to a chance at repeating.

The first would be the Los Angeles Clippers. Although they fell short of their goals in the playoffs, they were still a team that was favored to win the Western Conference coming into the playoffs. With a coaching change, another year of experience playing together, along with the opportunity to trade for one of the players mentioned in this list, the Clippers are looking to be back and better than ever in the 2020-20201 season.

Another threat in the Western Conference for the Lakers is the Golden State Warriors. After losing Kevin Durant and facing loads of injuries last season, many have forgotten about the team that was one of the best dynasties the league has seen in years. Because of the train wreck of a season the Warriors had, they obtained the second overall pick in the draft. With this asset along with the potential to trade for two time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Warriors could be back in prime form as soon as next year.

The final team that may pose a major threat to the Lakers is the Brooklyn Nets. They are another team that is coming back from superstars sustaining injuries in the 2019-2020 season. With Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and a loaded bench with plenty of assets, the Nets are also in the running in almost every single major trade rumor.

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