The Los Angeles Lakers are contenders for the Finals: that much is indisputable. They are last year’s champions, and they have two superstars in Anthony Davis and LeBron James, with a solid roster around them. But sometimes it is stars that win championships. The Brooklyn Nets are the favorites to make it out of the Eastern Conference, and they have more overall star power than the Lakers, with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. While the Lakers currently have a good team, they could elect to improve the roster by trading for another star, to create their own Big Three.
A star that the Los Angeles Lakers could trade for is Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards. The Washington Wizards are currently 3-11, and they don’t look like they are getting better any time soon. The Wizards could elect to trade Beal in order to rebuild while sending Beal to a contender. On the Los Angeles Lakers’ end, it seems that they would be open to sending anyone except James and Davis away in order to land Bradley Beal, as a superstar of his caliber doesn’t come around often. While anyone but the superstars on the roster could be targeted by the Wizards in a trade, here is a possible Lakers trade package to land Bradley Beal:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Bradley Beal
Washington Wizards Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, Alex Caruso, Talen Horton-Tucker
The Washington Wizards Get A Lot Of Solid Players
Let’s be clear from the get-go: there are better trade packages that other teams could put out for Bradley Beal. Other teams have elite young prospects that could be traded. The Wizards would surely accept other offers that are more appealing than the Lakers package. But in the NBA, anything could happen. If Bradley Beal were to ask to be traded to Los Angeles specifically, then the Wizards could try and accommodate their long-tenured star. While the Los Angeles package isn’t going to give you the next superstar, there are a lot of solid players that could be good for a rebuilding franchise.
We know what we’re getting with Montrezl Harrell, as he is the reigning 6MOTY. Harrell puts a lot of effort into rebounding and brings a certain grit and tenacity with the way he plays the game, hustling a lot and getting baskets inside. Alex Caruso and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope both know how to play a 3 and D role, with both being great defenders, and Caldwell-Pope being an elite shooter. Caruso has also made improvements to his jumper and leads the NBA in 3PT% with 55.9%, albeit on very low volume.
Kyle Kuzma is likely the centerpiece in this package, as he is a young player who has sacrificed his touches in order to win. With a higher usage rate, he could develop the scoring that he flashed in his first few years in the league. Talen Horton-Tucker has shown promise in his limited minutes, and on a rebuilding franchise, he could get the touches necessary to develop his ability. All of the players listed within the trade package are solid, but none of them are immediately All-Star caliber.
The Los Angeles Lakers Create Their Own Big Three
The Los Angeles Lakers would create an elite Big Three with this scenario, quite possibly the best in the league. Bradley Beal’s fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be perfect. Bradley Beal doesn’t have to dominate the ball in order to be good: for years, he played with a high usage point guard like John Wall. But Beal can obviously score with the best of them, as he is currently averaging 35.4 PPG as the main option on the Washington Wizards. While on the Lakers he would have a reduced role, he would benefit from having other stars to carry the offensive load. Los Angeles has a knack for landing stars for their team (Anthony Davis), and Bradley Beal could be next.
If Bradley Beal wants out, then the Washington Wizards should explore trading him. A destination like the Lakers could easily be appealing for a star that just wants to win. If the Lakers got Beal, then they would have a Big Three similar to LeBron James’ original superteam in Miami. Bradley Beal would give the Los Angeles Lakers a higher chance at a championship and if the Wizards start engaging in trade talks with teams, then the Lakers should absolutely try to acquire the electric shooting guard.
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