Another name that has been commonly linked to the Lakers is Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young. Similar to the Cavaliers, the Hawks have two star guards who aren’t a great fit together.
However, according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers would prefer adding Mitchell if they had their pick of the litter.
“I’ve heard in recent weeks that Donovan has become, if the Lakers go down the three-star path, and it’s still unclear, I think they’re gonna kick the can down the road and see the possibility and see what the asking price is, and there are teams that can outbid them if they get into a bidding war,” Buha said on the May 17 episode of “Buha’s Block. “But if they do go down that road and at least explore it, that Donovan Mitchell would be the preferred guy, whereas several months ago, Trae Young was a name you were hearing a lot. Dejounte Murray was a name they looked at leading into the deadline.”
Young is a prolific scorer but his lack of size make him a defensive liability. That likely plays a role as to why the Lakers would be apprehensive to trade for him.
