Breaking: The Lakers have finally reached a deal to sign 4 world-class superstars, which might have a significant influence.

Bleacher Report is ready to hit the panic button for the Los Angeles Lakers!

The popular interaction-based site is already seemingly slamming the Lakers’ start to the season and are trying to find hypothetical ways that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka can improve the roster just eight games into the season.

Eric Pincus expands on that belief, saying:

“From one point of view, the Los Angeles Lakers (3-5) are off to a perfect start to the 2023-24 season. They’re perfectly good at home (3-0) and perfectly awful on the road (0-5). After its surprising run to last season’s Western Conference Finals, the franchise entered the year with high expectations.

“So far, they have not been met. The Lakers resemble the squad that started 2-10 much more than the one that got past the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors in the postseason.”

The belief that Austin Reaves could be a legitimate third star next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis has come crashing down. Questions regarding coach Darvin Ham’s rotational decisions have resurfaced. The Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood signings have largely been duds in early return on investment.

Pincus then goes on to suggest the Lakers go star-shopping in the trade market, knowing fully well that they are largely asset-strapped, can’t make a significant move for another five weeks, and can’t significantly increase payroll.

Despite all of the limitations, Pincus came up with four potential trades the Lakers could make for stars that could potentially salvage a season that could get ugly in the coming weeks.

Note: This will be covered in a context centered around how each move would effect the Phoenix Suns.

Trade 1: Reuniting Kyrie Irving with LeBron

The Trade: Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris for D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Jalen Hood-Schifino.

This would be the most obvious move the Lakers could make, assuming the 6-2 Mavs were motivated to make a trade.

While Irving may not be the player he once was, he has proven to be a magnificent fit next to LeBron James, and having Anthony Davis as a roll-man would be ideal for Kyrie’s facilitation prospects.

This trade likely won’t happen, but how would it impact the Suns if it actually did happen? Irving would be a great equalizer when it comes to comparing the star power between the Suns and Lakers. The big threes would be nearly identical from a talent perspective.

Irving would also add sorely-needed perimeter creation in place of the ever-inconsistent D’Angelo Russell and the reeling Reaves. Irving’s consistent three point shot would make him a perfect off-ball kick-out option for James, and his finishing ability would open up more opportunities for Davis on the block.

Verdict: Closes the gap, but Suns still better at full-strength

Trade 2: DeRozan Comes Home to L.A.

The Trade: DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond for D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Jalen Hood-Schifino.

This trade has been peddled for quite some time as well, along with the Irving-James reunion. DeRozan reportedly strongly considered joining his hometown Lakers in the 2021 offseason before taking a bigger deal to sign with Chicago.

He is now in the final year of a three-year deal with the Bulls, and he could theoretically be had for a package built around players rather than picks.

DeRozan would bring more perimeter creation than the Lakers currently possess, but his lack of three-point shot and mediocre defense don’t really lead to any meaningful improvements to the current suspect roster construction in place.

The Verdict: Improves Lakers offense marginally, but doesn’t make them a true threat

Trade 3: Zach LaVine Instead?

The Trade: Zach LaVine, Torrey Craig and Terry Taylor for D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince Jalen Hood-Schifino and a lightly-protected 2029 first-rounder.

The Bulls appear to be a ticking time bomb in terms of tearing the roster down and starting a ground-up rebuild.

Zach LaVine has been a cornerstone for the Bulls since he went to Chicago in the Jimmy Butler trade in the summer of 2017.

LaVine had regularly improved every season in Chicago, growing from a freak-athlete to a well-rounded scorer that did a bit of everything on offense.

While LaVine is still a good player, there are concerns around the long-term health of his knees, and it appears his best days are already behind him. He isn’t getting to the rim at nearly the same rate as he once did, and his overall scoring volume/efficiency has dipped as well.

Never known as a strong defender, LaVine has been better on that end, at least as recently as last season. His improvements on defense are negligible at best, however, and it wouldn’t do anything to fix the Lakers’ disappointing start on defense.

The Verdict: Better outlook than acquiring DeRozan, but still not a true threat

Trade 4: Trae Young Gettable?

The Trade: Trae Young, Bruno Fernando and Wesley Matthews for D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2029 first-

This potential trade might be the most unrealistic. Not because Young and the Hawks may very well be heading for a divorce, but because the Lakers’ asset pool may be insufficient to acquire a former All-NBA star.

Young has struggled the last season-plus as a number one option. The new foul-baiting rule changes coupled with an inconsistent jumper have certainly depreciated his value as a volume-scorer.

Despite the dip in scoring productivity, his playmaking is as good as ever. The value he brings as a set-up man is still among the best in basketball is undeniable. In this scenario, Young theoretically boosts Reaves’ value as an off-ball shooter, LeBron’s value as a slasher, and Davis’ value as a play finisher.

Young also just feels most natural as a third option on a contending team. The Lakers could be a situation where he could see a true uptick in scoring efficiency.

The true main downside is the guard’s defense, or lack thereof. Young consistently grades as one of the very worst defenders in basketball, and a Lakers squad that has regressed on that end wouldn’t be able to hide his deficiencies.

The Verdict: While Young undeniably raises the Lakers’ ceiling as an offense, his poor defense will have more of an impact when facing elite offenses such as Phoenix and Denver