The Los Angeles Lakers have been perennial headliners when it comes to trade rumors, and with the December 15 window inching closer, the buzz around who the franchise has on the trade block gets louder by the day.
Safe to say, everyone on that roster barring LeBron James and Anthony Davis, are players who the team might potentially trade if it gives them a name that instantly elevates them to title contenders.
From Myles Turner and Buddy Hield to DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, Los Angeles has been associated with big names since the start of the season. The front office stayed away from pulling the trigger giving their current roster a 20-game sample size to see what they’re capable of. But they did set the tone by waiving Matt Ryan less than three months into the season.
It’s been 25 games now, and the Lakers have lost 15 of them, the most recent one coming against the Philadelphia 76ers. For a team looking to at least notch up 45+ wins this season in order to make the playoffs, especially after their 33-49 run last year, the think-tank will be keen to ring in the changes.
Earlier, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha reported that the Lakers were mulling over three scenarios. Trading Russell Westbrook was the obvious first, but his resurgence as their sixth man gave rise to two more options that involved trading Kendrick Nunn, Patrick Beverley, and even the picks — something they were reportedly reluctant to do.
On that note, we take a look at the three players Los Angeles could put on the trade block and hope to make some smart additions to bolster the roster.
3. Kendrick Nunn
After missing out the entirety of the 2021-22 season due to an injury, Kendrick Nunn was expected to make a splash as a starter but has now found himself coming off the bench with diminishing minutes. At the time of writing, the guard averages 5.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists this season and is one of the players primed to be traded.
His $5.2 million pay for this season makes him an ideal candidate to be traded off in a package deal. The Lakers were reportedly in talks with franchises, and his expiring contract with another player gives the side a chance to replace Nunn with a more impactful option.
Nunn for the New York Knicks is one of the rumors doing the rounds. This comes on the back of the Lakers linked to Cam Reddish, who is on the last stretch of his contract as well. With the Purple and Gold looking at getting some wings to the side, Reddish has enough potential, and while it’s not really a blockbuster trade, Nunn and a pick might see the side get an improved player.
2. Patrick Beverley
Patrick Beverley certainly seems to relish his time as a Laker, but that might just be coming to an end as the point guard’s name has been thrown around in the trade market. His numbers have certainly nose-dived when compared to his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, but every team knows his contribution off the court.
Beverley is averaging 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists this season. He is looked at as one of the players who could find a new destination along with Nunn. His expiring $13 million contract makes for an interesting option for teams planning to tank to make some space for a bigger name in the 2023 free agency.
Like Nunn, the Lakers may have to add a draft pick to find takes for the 34-year-old. But there is no doubt that he will find takers for teams that are in need of some backcourt help.
1. Russell Westbrook
There’s no telling where Russell Westbrook will land up by the end of the season. Will he be Knick? Or a Bull? There’s ample room for speculation when it comes to discussing the point guard’s future in Los Angeles.
Conversely, there’s also the possibility that the Lakers might just trust him to deliver this season after his stark improvement coming off the bench. Note that the second option doesn’t really help the Lakers, even if he’s averaging 14.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.5 assists. He’s on a hefty $47 million contract that’s a bit of a head-scratcher.
That said, there have been enough possibilities, and some of them include big names that actually help the Lakers resolve their shooting woes. Bleacher Report proposed a three-team trade involving the Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons.
What if the Lakers traded Westbrook, Beverley, Nunn, and their two future first-round picks to land Kyrie Irving? They also acquire Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, and Nerlens Noel.
Now, for the Nets, this deal is dependent on their needs. The site noted that the team could “lower-priced role players for significant luxury tax savings,” while the Pistons could get Day’Ron Sharpe.
Next up was the exciting blow-up trade between the Bulls and the Lakers that sees Westbrook and perhaps Juan Toscano-Anderson heading to the Windy City with DeRozan and Vucevic joining LA. It’s feasible on the money front and involves trading the two draft picks as well. This makes the Bulls go for a rebuild while the Lakers become instant contenders.
There’s no telling what the Lakers are thinking of right now, but they’re better off trading Westbrook to fit in pieces that shoot and defend.
Player salaries: Spotrac.
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