Suns/Lakers trade

[Greg S]

To Phoenix Suns:
PF Lauri Markkanen, $5.5m (2020)
Toronto 2019 2nd Round Pick

To Los Angeles Lakers:
PF Aaron Gordon, $8m (2021) [40% of salary paid in 2018, 2019, 2020]

Gordon was my #1 free agent target so trading him is tough, but I like the upside of the younger Markkanen too.  I cover salary to compensate for the difference in salaries and age.  The draft pick compensates for Markanen’s current injury.   Lakers to confirm.  Good luck WestCoastExpress.

[WestCoastExpress]

Confirms the trade.


We're looking to win now and want to get out of the gate quickly, so trading the currently injured Markkanen along with a pick gets us Gordon (who hopefully stays healthy himself as he's injury prone!).

In the long run Markkanen is the better player, but we're content with Gordon for the time being.

Thanks Greg for the negotiations.

Markkanen and Ayton are going to be a deadly 1-2 punch up front for you for years to come!


Note:
Upon completion of the trade, send Gordon to the active roster, and send SF James Johnson to the inactive roster

[Vik]

  Very even talent in my opinion, 2nd rounder to compensate for Markkanen's injury is fair too

[WizKidFromSpace]

  Definitely a win-now move for Lakers. I think Lauri will be a substantially better player than Gordon... probably this season, but considering the injury this still makes some sense. I personally would have sat on Lauri with how deep Lakers' roster is, but he also seems a lot higher than I on Gordon.

[indiansnation]

  nice trade for both teams

[cloud91]

 

[Vik]