Lakers predicted to trade for $150M high-intensity defensive menace to pair with Luka Doncic originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have built a new roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in a way they never would have around LeBron James. The organization believes it is championship or bust during Doncic’s tenure with the team.

The offseason was a busy one for LA, as the team made several moves to prepare for the future. However, the biggest question remains what Doncic will be able to accomplish with this roster.

“The Lakers prioritized building around Luka Dončić this summer, getting him his center in Walker Kessler, adding youth and athleticism and finding players who can shoot and attack closeouts. It’s a team built around a star, but are they (or is he) good enough to get them to the top of the West,” The Athletic’s Dan Woike wrote.

It is clear that one of the main goals of the offseason was to improve the team's defense. Defenders made up most of the Lakers' offseason additions.

“The Lakers finished 20th in defensive rating last season. This season, they believe Kessler, as well as the wings they collected, including Quentin Grimes, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Collin Sexton, can provide active, disruptive on-ball pressure and length on the perimeter," SI's Ricardo Sandoval wrote.

With the Lakers looking for defenders who also have the ability to score, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn believes they could make a trade for Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs.

“The Magic are taking a big step — or they're breaking up their core. They're in second apron danger as a Play-In team. Suggs is foundational to their defensive identity. He's also constantly hurt and has a ready-made replacement in-house in Anthony Black, who's headed for restricted free agency next summer. Depending on how low his value falls, he'd be a really interesting fit for a Lakers team that needs defense however it can find it,” Quinn wrote.

Suggs would fit right in with the current makeup of the roster and could be a strong addition to the second unit alongside Collin Sexton. Doncic has been going nuclear as of late, so the more defenders the Lakers can add, the better.

Suggs is currently on a $150 million deal with the Magic. The Lakers' commitment to building around their future gives them another reason to pursue a deal with Orlando. An addition like this could make Doncic happy while giving the team another much-needed defensive presence.

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https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lakers-predicted-trade-150m-high-064218703.html