The Lakers might look at two Washington players to boost their wing rotation. Justin Champagnie and Bilal Coulibaly could become available this season, and both have skills that would fit well with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
According to Jovan Buha, these two wings on the Wizards could be trade options for the Lakers to bolster their wing depth.
“Champagnie and Coulibaly could be gettable during the season… The funny thing is the Lakers are going to be trying to trade Jaden Hardy. So I don’t know if Washington wants to take him back. I mean are the Lakers just going to end up sending back the Wizards picks and get Coulibaly or Champagnie instead of Hardy? I think those are a couple names that could make some sense.”
While there’s no sign of a trade happening yet, these comments give Lakers fans two players to keep an eye on. Champagnie could help with rebounding and scoring near the rim, while Coulibaly would bring strong defense on the wing.
Justin Champagnie
Champagnie stands out because he can help the team without needing the ball. Last season, he averaged 8.7 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 50.2% from the field. He could give the Lakers a wing who finishes plays and grabs second-chance points.
If he plays with Doncic, Champagnie could score by cutting to the basket and finishing at the rim. When defenders focus on Luka, he can find open spots instead of just standing outside.
Champagnie’s rebounding would also work well in JJ Redick’s aggressive defense. If the Lakers force a tough shot but don’t get the rebound, they lose the advantage. Champagnie could help secure those rebounds so the guards don’t have to do it as often.
The main concern is his shooting. Champagnie hit 31.9% of his threes last season, so the Lakers would have to think about how much spacing he offers next to Walker Kessler. His cutting could make defenders pay if they leave him open, but better outside shooting would help him stay on the court.
Bilal Coulibaly
Coulibaly’s main strength is his defense. His length and athleticism could give Redick another option to guard perimeter scorers, which might let Doncic and Reaves save energy for offense.
He could also fit the Lakers’ style of pressuring ball handlers while having rim protection behind them. With Kessler guarding the paint, Coulibaly could play aggressively on the outside, using his reach to challenge shots and disrupt passes. This would give Redick another choice when the team needs more size on the wing.
On offense, playing with Doncic could make things easier for Coulibaly. Instead of needing him to take tough shots, the Lakers could use him as a cutter and a fast-break finisher who takes advantage of the openings Luka creates with his passing.
His shooting is still a concern. Coulibaly made 31.9% of his threes last season, so defenders might feel fine leaving him open. The Lakers would need to balance his strong defense with the spacing issues that come from playing him with another inside scorer.
The Lakers Need the Right Deal
Both players could help the Lakers, but in different ways. Champagnie would add rebounding and off-ball scoring, while Coulibaly would give the team another defender for athletic wings.
Whether either trade makes sense depends on the price. The Lakers should be open to trading draft picks for a player who improves their rotation. Redick needs someone he can trust to play important minutes.
