NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers acquire 6’10 Bosnian-American center in proposed blockbuster Kevin Durant trade

As the draft approaches, NBA trade rumors surrounding Kevin Durant have picked up steam. One of the latest mock proposals from insider Eric Pincus sees Durant going to the Minnesota Timberwolves on his potential landing sports as per reports. Pincus gave the Timberwolves the fifth spot in his rankings of teams that could acquire Durant based on their package.

He gave the Rockets, Spurs, Knicks and Heat a better chance to acquire the All-Star forward. The deal involving the Timberwolves, as per Pincus’ proposal, includes the LA Lakers.

The Purple and Gold need depth at the center position, and the Timberwolves provide them with an under-the-radar option like Luka Garza. In exchange, the Lakers send the Suns the No. 55 pick from the 2025 draft to sweeten the deal for the Timberwolves in their pursuit of Durant.

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Here's the entire trade framework as proposed by Pincus:

Timberwolves get

• Kevin Durant

Suns get

• Julius Randle
• Rob Dillingham
• Terrence Shannon Jr.
• Mike Conley
• Josh Minnott
• Lakers' 55th pick

Lakers get

• Luka Garza

The trade ideally is based on the presumption that the Suns are willing to take on Randle, who would be on an expiring deal. With his market value taking a hit, he won't be offered a deal as lucrative as his previous contract, so Phoenix can add a solid frontcourt presence for a significant period without spending much.

The Timberwolves load up on young prospects like Dillingham and Shannon Jr. because of their lack of draft picks and potential reluctance to involve Jaden McDaniels or Rudy Gobert in this trade.

Luka Garza to Lakers is not a bad option

LA gets a more ready player with Garza instead of a gamble with the 55th pick. Garza hasn't featured much on the Pistons in his rookie year or on the Timberwolves for the past three seasons. But the 26-year-old has potential because of his size and offensive ability.

He didn't have opportunities in Minnesota as he played behind veterans like Gobert, Randle, Naz Reid and Karl-Anthony Towns. However, that could change in LA, with the Lakers basically having zero depth at the position.

He has upside as a stretch big, a quality that would suit well under JJ Redick, whose offensive ideologies rely on spacing. Garza would fit in well as a second or third-string option on a team-friendly deal. He is earning $2.3 million next year and would be a solid buy-low option for LA.

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Arhaan Raje

Arhaan Raje is an Assistant Content Manager and Senior Writer with Sportskeeda's NBA/WNBA team with four years of experience.

Arhaan focuses on features, trends, listicles, and the latest rumors and reports circling the league's top teams and players. He emphasizes detailed research to create impactful content for readers. A fan of Xs and Os, Arhaan provides technical deep dives in his reporting.

Arhaan completed his bachelor's degree in BBA in Media and Entertainment Management from Mumbai, India.

Arhaan admires the killer mentality of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. He respects LeBron James for being a role model on and off the court. The bold and decisive Gregg Popovich stands out as Arhaan's favorite basketball coach. LeBron's epic chase-down block in the 2016 NBA Finals has a special place in Arhaan's basketball memories.

He has interviewed former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Gary Payton and Ronnie 2K, the face of NBA2k and Marketing Director.

Sports isn't the only passion he has pursued professionally. Arhaan is also into performing arts in the music industry as a percussionist.

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