The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that is in need of moves ahead of the trade deadline. They are only a few games out of being a playoff seed, and some win-now moves could help them improve enough to get to the postseason and make a deep run this season.
- The Lakers Finally Land Buddy Hield
- Lakers Get A Veteran Floor General And Shooter
- Lakers Acquire A Star Scorer In Zach LaVine
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It was previously reported that the Lakers are still discussing Westbrook trades ahead of the deadline. We also saw the Los Angeles Lakers trade for forward Rui Hachimura recently, and it is clear that they are willing to make some moves to win immediately with LeBron James.
It is no secret that Russell Westbrook has frequently been featured in trade rumors during his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell Westbrook is a player that is polarizing among Los Angeles Lakers fans and analysts who discuss the team. Some believe that his energy and ability to put up stats off the bench are extremely valuable, while others are lower on him due to him being inefficient and frequently turning the ball over.
After their recent trade, it is quite possible that Russell Westbrook will be the next player traded. He is on a $47,063,478 expiring contract this season, and moving him with a draft pick or multiple picks could net the Lakers a good return involving a star or multiple role players. Here are the best trade options for the Los Angeles Lakers right now.
The Lakers Finally Land Buddy Hield
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Buddy Hield, TJ McConnell, Daniel Theis
Indiana Pacers Receive: Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
The most touted trade scenario between the Indiana Pacers has featured Buddy Hield and Myles Turner moving to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, there have been recent reports that indicated that the Pacers want to retain Turner but are willing to move Buddy Hield. The trade framework presented here would move Hield to the Lakers while keeping Turner on the Pacers. The Lakers would also get some solid role players in this deal as well, as there is still a sizeable gap between Hield and Westbrook’s contracts.
Buddy Hield would obviously be the main draw for the Los Angeles Lakers here and is the reason the Lakers would trade one of their valuable future first-round picks. He is an elite 3PT shooter that can hit a variety of shots from the perimeter, notably excelling off the ball. He is also comfortable creating his own shot from the 3PT range and can is comfortable hitting pull-up shots with the slightest bit of space. As of right now, Hield is averaging 17.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 2.7 APG while shooting 42.2% from beyond the arc.Â
Daniel Theis and TJ McConnell are both solid role players that could potentially be good fits for the Los Angeles Lakers. McConnell plays solid defense as a backup point guard, though his size can be a limitation at times. Daniel Theis has not yet played a game for the Indiana Pacers this year due to their big-man rotation being crowded, but he has shown signs of being a solid stretch center in the past.Â
This deal would allow the Los Angeles Lakers to make a win-now move to help LeBron James and Anthony Davis while also maintaining some flexibility for the future by retaining one of their tradeable first-round picks. The Lakers would definitely benefit from this, but there are other deals that can give them better depth or a more impactful player in return.
Lakers Get A Veteran Floor General And Shooter
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson
Miami Heat Receive: Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
This trade has long been one of the proposed moves for the Los Angeles Lakers, and it should be pointed out that the Lakers have a documented interest in acquiring Kyle Lowry. This deal would allow them to get two better-fitting players in exchange for Russell Westbrook’s expiring contract and a first-round pick.
Kyle Lowry is a solid floor general that has experience as a championship point guard. He is capable of taking on some ballhandling duties from LeBron James and spacing the floor. Lowry has experience playing with ball-dominant superstars and would fit well next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis as a complimentary player. Overall, Kyle Lowry is a good pickup, even though there would likely be some concern about how he plays next season and the one after that. As of right now, Kyle Lowry is putting up 12.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 5.4 APG for the Heat.
Duncan Robinson has not had many minutes for the Miami Heat this season, but he has shown the ability to be an elite 3PT shooter in the past. He could potentially play well for the Los Angeles Lakers off the bench, and his off-ball game would be an elite asset for the team. Though he isn’t that good defensively, the offense he provides is valuable, and perhaps Robinson could experience a comeback on the Lakers.
This trade would get the Los Angeles Lakers two solid role players that are proven and have playoff experience in exchange for a huge expiring contract and a first-round pick. Though they still wouldn’t get a high-end star in this scenario, this sort of deal that gets them role players and provides depth could still get them to the level they want to be at as a team.
Lakers Acquire A Star Scorer In Zach LaVine
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Russell Westbrook 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
The Los Angeles Lakers have avoided making a huge move involving their two tradeable first-round picks thus far. Governor Jeanie Buss has reportedly directed the team not to throw away their future while making win-now deals. However, there are some deals that could sway the Los Angeles Lakers into making a move with both picks. It has been reported that the Lakers are saving their picks to trade for a star-level player like Zach LaVine, and perhaps they will be able to get a LaVine deal before the trade deadline.
There is no doubt that Zach LaVine would immediately help the Los Angeles Lakers become a more competitive team. He is having an All-Star-level year, averaging 24.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 4.3 APG for the Chicago Bulls. On the Lakers, his off-ball game and shot creation would take their offense to the next level, and they have enough defensive-minded role players to cover for him on the defensive end of the floor. He would give the team another perimeter shot creator who can take some pressure off LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the fourth quarter. Overall, it is clear that Zach LaVine would be the perfect acquisition for the franchise.
Of course, giving up both of their tradeable first-round picks is a risk for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, what benefits them is that Zach LaVine is on a long-term deal while being relatively young. If things don’t work out for them with the trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Zach LaVine, they could always rebuild and get a haul for those 3 players in the future. LeBron James could potentially leave the team after next season, but Davis and LaVine would be able to be moved in order to start the next era of Lakers basketball. This deal is the best move that the Los Angeles Lakers can make right now, and we’ll see if they can make something happen in the future.
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