Lakers trade pitch lands recent No. 4 pick for Rui Hachimura and more

Jon Conahan

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Lakers trade pitch lands recent No. 4 pick for Rui Hachimura and more image

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the more interesting teams in the NBA to start the season, playing like one of the league's better teams at times and one of its worst at others. 

The Lakers' defense, however, needs a big change for them to be what they're looking to be. There are some ways to do so, but given the Lakers' limited assets, it isn't exactly like they’re in a perfect position to get something done.

The Athletic’s Dan Woike proposed a deal that could do so, moving on from a fan-favorite in a deal for a former No. 4 pick.

Lakers receive: Patrick Williams, Ayo Dosunmu

Chicago Bulls receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent

“An issue that comes up in many of my conversations is the Lakers’ future cap space. In a trade like this, that would be the primary issue. 

“Williams looks like a 3-and-D wing, but he doesn’t play like one. He spends more time guarding bigs because of his lack of foot speed, and he shoots too infrequently to stretch defenses on the perimeter. He is also under contract for three more seasons. Dosunmu has some of the skills that would really help the Lakers, but as an unrestricted free agent, he’s going to be looking for a raise in the mid-level exception range,” he wrote.

Williams has the physical tools, but hasn’t consistently delivered anything the Bulls and their fan base were hoping for when he was drafted that high. 

Dosunmu is more appealing, as crazy as that might have sounded a few years ago. Dosunmu has quietly become one of the more underrated players in the NBA, as he's an above-average defender on the perimeter, and he's also proven to be a decent offensive player. 

This might not seem like a trade that would get the Lakers over the top, but if both players fit as well as they can, it would do something nice for Los Angeles.

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