After a 3-5 start, the Los Angeles Lakers have turned things around, going 12-7 in their last 19 games.
They have, nevertheless, struggled away from Crypto Currency Arena, dropping their last three games, two of which were away from home. In between two three-game road trips, Los Angeles, which is 5-9 on the road this season, just lost their one home game, 114-109, to the New York Knicks on December 18.
With their final scores dropping in each of their last four games, this recent run of games may have exposed their need for greater firepower. An injury has been a factor. However, that might be even more motivation to enhance their skill wherever it is feasible.
It might be a little ambitious to include Dunn. However, he would assist in making up for Hood-Schfino, a rookie first-round pick who hasn’t made much of an impact this season, and Vincent’s loss.
For a cleaner positional switch, Los Angeles could also substitute Christian Wood or Taurean Prince for Hood-Schifino, or Rui Hachimura for Vincent.
Anthony Davis could be paired with a reliable offensive threat in the frontcourt in this trade, which would free him up to concentrate on his best quality—defense.
The 26-year-old Markkanen is averaging 23.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 62.8% true shooting. In addition, he is making 38.4% of his 8.1 three-point tries per game, which would put him in first and third place among the Lakers’ scorers.
Currently, he is three years into a four-year, $67.5 million deal. Of the $18 million he is due for the upcoming season, only $6 million of the contract is fully guaranteed.
Dunn, 29, shoots 36.4% from distance and averages 4.7 points per game. He would provide the Lakers’ backcourt with a tough defense, but his consistency has never been good. However, he and Markkanen have a rapport that goes back to their days playing for the Chicago Bulls.
