Things in Los Angeles are getting slightly better, thanks to the resurgence of Anthony Davis. After a slow start to the season, Davis is currently posting 27.5 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, and 2.3 BPG on 59.3% shooting from the field, 32.1% from three, and 83.1% from the free-throw line. Not to mention, the Lakers just ended their 3-game losing streak, and their record is not as atrocious as it used to be. LeBron said it best, it was good to see the Lakers end their road trip with a win:
“We started off the trip so well then we had some injuries and some illnesses, and it kind of threw our rhythm off. We had everybody back in the lineup tonight but we were able to finish the trip off .500, and we’re going home.”
LeBron seemed solid last night, posting 35 points, while Davis continued his excellent play by dropping 34 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. Fans rejoiced, and so did most of us because those are excellent numbers from one of the best duos in the NBA. Anthony Davis, specifically, has been solid, considering his stats. Those are superstar numbers from a player who should be considered top-five in the game. But unfortunately, Davis’ play still won’t be enough to get the Lakers into the postseason and make them contenders.
The only way for the Lakers to get back into championship contention is to package the frontrunner for 6th Man of the Year, Russell Westbrook, and some valuable first-round picks for star players. It took gigantic efforts from both James and Davis to have a victory against the tanking Detroit Pistons, so while things are getting a bit better, it still isn’t great. Luckily, there are teams across the NBA that will be willing to take a one-year-rental for a former MVP that is best suited to a bench role. Here are the three trades the Los Angeles Lakers should make to become contenders again.
Lakers Finally Land Buddy Hield And Myles Turner
Trade Package: Buddy Hield, Myles Turner for Russell Westbrook, 2027 First Round Pick, 2029 First Round Pick
The Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers have been in conversation all summer long with the two first-round picks preventing things from going through so far. Buddy Hield and Myles Turner are what the doctor ordered for the Lakers in terms of shooting and defense. Hield is shooting 39.8% from three over his career, while Turner is one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA. Losing the two first-round picks will hurt the Lakers in the long term, but going after another championship is far more important.
Los Angeles has a chance to compete by bringing in an elite sharpshooter but also adding in a center who has led the NBA in blocks and can also hit outside shots. Surrounding two shooters around LeBron makes a ton of sense, and Turner provides cover for Anthony Davis by giving the All-Star a chance to return to his favored power forward position. The Lakers have broken their three-game losing streak, but they need to reach another level by bringing in two starters. The new lineup would then become LeBron James, Lonnie Walker, Buddy Hield, Anthony Davis, and Myles Turner.
The Pacers only have a year of Westbrook on the roster before having over $40 million off their salary cap, so that would be a solid rebuilding move along with the first-round picks. Indiana might want to tank for Victor Wembanyama, and losing games on purpose while marketing a former MVP in Westbrook could make a ton of sense for the franchise. Indiana has played well all year, but only Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin should be considered untouchable.
Lakers Land Nets Star Kyrie Irving
Trade Package: Kyrie Irving for Russell Westbrook, 2027 First Round Pick, 2029 First Round Pick
The Lakers could be looking forward to happier times since they have arguably one of the best two-way duos in the league in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. As great as Russell Westbrook has been over his career, he is not an All-Star player anymore and is not as offensively dominant as Kyrie Irving. Kyrie, LeBron, and Davis would ravage defenses with their size and skill, and the reunion of Irving and The King would be a media story to follow all year.
Remember, Kyrie and LeBron proved to be devastating to the Golden State Warriors in 2016 as they defeated the sharpshooting team in 7 games. Even if they ended up on “bad” terms with Irving forcing his way out of Cleveland, the two players will forever be linked together. What Irving and James did together was legendary, clearly, as they are the first team ever to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. With Irving joining a dynamic duo in Los Angeles, the Lakers could be the title favorites coming out of the Western Conference. The starting lineup becomes Kyrie Irving, Lonnie Walker, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Thomas Bryant.
Meanwhile, the Nets also form one of the hilariously interesting Big Threes in recent memory with Westbrook, Durant, and Simmons. Seeing Durant reunite with his former point guard Russell Westbrook would break media outlets, especially because the forward left Oklahoma City Thunder to play with the Golden State Warriors. Who knows, maybe Russ could actually prove to be a capable player in Brooklyn’s system before getting off the books next year.
Lakers Land Two Bulls Stars
Trade Package: DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic for Russell Westbrook, 2027 First Round Pick, 2029 First Round Pick
The Lakers should have gone for DeMar DeRozan last season instead of praying for a miracle that Russell Westbrook would become an MVP again. DeMar is good enough to be a second or third option on a championship team, and he can be just that behind Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Right now, DeRozan is doing well offensively by averaging 25.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 4.6 APG for the 11-15 Chicago Bulls.
DeRozan is not the best three-point shooter, as he is nailing 31.4% from three this year, but he can create his own offense and make the Lakers far more formidable on offense. Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic is a capable 20-10 center who is posting 16.3 PPG and 10.8 RPG this season. Obviously, a starting lineup with LeBron, Davis, DeRozan, Vucevic, and Lonnie Walker would be solid on both ends of the floor. LeBron is almost 38 years old, so the time to win is now.
For Chicago, acquiring two late first-round picks make a ton of sense because James most likely won’t be around by the time 2027 and 2029 come. The Bulls also clear cap space with Westbrook off the books next year. With the deal, the Bulls can tank immediately and start the process of rebuilding around Zach LaVine and other young players. Even if LaVine isn’t wanted, he can be packaged for other assets.
Lakers Might Have To Accept Any Of The Above Deals To Give LeBron James A Chance To Win A Championship
The Los Angeles Lakers won’t be able to acquire a third All-Star to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the lineup for the services of Russell Westbrook. The point guard is no longer an MVP candidate and is no longer a starting-caliber player anymore. Therefore, Los Angeles will have to accept one of the three above deals.
Obviously, the Indiana Pacers offer very attractive pieces for the services of Russell Westbrook. Buddy Hield is a career 39.8% shooter from three, and Turner is a shot-blocking machine who will fit perfectly alongside Anthony Davis. The Lakers will greatly improve their starting lineup with this deal, but it will come at a hefty cost in terms of draft picks. Are the Lakers willing to do this deal? If not, they might have to consult the Nets or the Bulls to gain some hope for the upcoming season because, as things stand, they will have to struggle to make the playoffs.
The Nets package is devoid of any real depth, but they can provide an All-Star player without the need for the Lakers to give up more players other than Russell Westbrook. Remember, LeBron James needs shooters around him, and there is no doubt that Kyrie Irving provides that far better than Westbrook. Of course, Kyrie and LeBron know each other’s games and can once again make a push for the NBA Finals.
In a perfect situation, the Lakers can also consider what the Chicago Bulls have to offer because DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic are both better players than Westbrook right now. DeRozan is a steady perimeter player who can shoot, defend, and make smart plays. Vucevic also becomes the first center in LeBron’s career that can actually create his own offense consistently. These two pieces can be invaluable for a team that needs offense outside of an aging LeBron and an injury-prone Davis.
With any of these three deals in place, the Los Angeles Lakers are right back in the mix to compete in a stacked Western Conference. LeBron James has proven to be a consistent force in terms of his health, but time could be running out because The King is still a human at the end of the day and wasting another season is not the best idea for a franchise that won’t be in a position to tank for Victor Wembanyama anyways.
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