The Los Angeles Lakers need to hope for a miracle that can allow them to salvage their roster ahead of the 2022-23 season. While the Lakers have acquired solid young talent in Lonnie Walker IV and Thomas Bryant this offseason, the team needs a lot more to give LeBron James and Anthony Davis a chance to contend for the NBA Championship.
One of the biggest issues on the Lakers roster is the awkward fit of Russell Westbrook alongside LBJ and Davis. Westbrook’s debut campaign for the Lakers saw him accumulate some good stats but struggle to mesh with the rest of his teammates on the court.
The Lakers have attempted to flip Westbrook for the disgruntled Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, but the Nets are asking for more picks than what the Lakers are willing to give up. Due to the age of LeBron, the Lakers have been bullish on giving up both their future first-round picks. As a result, the Lakers will go into training camp with Westbrook and their current roster but keep monitoring the Irving situation to see if a trade can be made to swap their point guards.
The Lakers would still have work to do to have a championship-winning roster, but a trio of LeBron, Davis, and Irving would be one of the most formidable in the league. Question marks will remain over how much time these 3 can get on the court, but it is a move worth making for LA.
If the Lakers go into training camp and realize that Westbrook can work within the system, they may not make this move. However, Irving did have a 60-point game last season and would bring offensive versatility to the Lakers like they haven’t had before alongside LBJ and AD.
It is a very intriguing trade route, but it looks like it will take more time before we know whether LA thinks an expiring and disgruntled Kyrie is worth 2 first-round picks.
