Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Josh Jackson
Detroit Pistons Receive: C Marc Gasol, F Alfonzo McKinnie, LAL 2025 1st Round Pick (Protected Top-8)
Jackson is set to make $5M next season in the final year of his contract, which is very favorable for the Los Angeles Lakers seeing as they are going to be way over the salary cap next season, but the struggle with trading for Jackson is that they do not have any contracts on their roster that would matchup in a trade with Jackson’s.
As a result, the only trade package the Lakers could offer without giving up any of their key guys like Kyle Kuzma or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would be to offer both Alfonzo McKinnie, who would be waived, and Marc Gasol, who would likely be on the move elsewhere.
Neither McKinnie nor Gasol really prove to be of value to the Pistons, as they are a team that is looking to add young, versatile talents and draft picks, which is why they would likely settle for a first-round draft pick should they be interested in moving Josh Jackson for value.
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The 24-year-old Jackson is in his first season with the Pistons and has had a great resurgence season in Detroit. Many around the league had given up on the former 4th overall pick, but Josh Jackson has capitalized on his second-chance with the Pistons this season and has been a key role player for them all season long.
In 48 games this season, Jackson has averaged 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and has shot 42.2% from the floor. His athletic ability and length is what has made him a key contributor to the Pistons this year and with him being a young, versatile wing, the Lakers could definitely utilize him in their rotations.
The only question that remains is if the Pistons are willing to trade their young wing for a first-round pick that would not be of use to them until 2025? Let’s take a look at if this trade truly makes sense for both the Lakers and the Pistons.
