The Los Angeles Lakers have clearly been angling to make a move to their roster. Their big three featuring Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis have mightily struggled this season.
- John Wall Could Save The Lakers
- Buddy Hield Is The Shooter The Lakers Need
- The Lakers Would Have A Much Better Lineup
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- Los Angeles Lakers Have Discussed A Three-Team Trade That Could Bring Them Cam Reddish And Alec Burks
- NBA Insider Reveals Scenario Where Russell Westbrook Would Be Traded For John Wall, Then Get Bought Out By The Rockets And Sign With The Wizards
- LeBron James Doesn’t Want To Reveal His Private Conversation With Russell Westbrook: “I Just Hate That We’re All Here Right Now And It Kind Of Hasn’t Worked Out That Way Two-Thirds Through The Season.”
- League Insider Blasts Russell Westbrook In Heated Message: “Is He Happy Now? Houston Hates Him, Washington Half Hates Him, And L.A. Definitely Hates Him.”
- Anonymous Laker Wants Russell Westbrook To Be Traded Today: “We Gotta Rip The Band-Aid Off”
They currently are four games below the .500 mark and many fans are urging the team to make some changes on the roster. Although the vast majority suggests that Russell Westbrook should leave the team before the trade deadline strikes, the point guard isn’t the only player that could be moved this Thursday.
Below, we list two last-minute trades the Los Angeles Lakers could do ahead of the trade deadline. While it is unclear whether the Lakers will end up going forward with either of those two trades, there’s no question that these moves could help them get back on the right track.
John Wall Could Save The Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: John Wall
Houston Rockets Receive: Russell Westbrook, 2027 first-round pick (LAL)
Russell Westbrook for John Wall was a trade framework that was touted as a realistic trade option for the Los Angeles Lakers. It was also mentioned that the Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick would be involved. Here is why this trade could potentially help the Los Angeles Lakers.
John Wall averaged 20.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 6.9 APG over the course of the 2020-21 season. While he was inefficient in doing so, perhaps he could be a more efficient player in a third option role on the Los Angeles Lakers. He is a less ball-dominant player than Russell Westbrook, and perhaps he would fit better next to Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
There is no doubt that John Wall is at this moment viewed as a negative contract. But that doesn’t mean he can’t contribute to winning on the Los Angeles Lakers. He would be able to work well with lineups featuring shooters like Carmelo Anthony and Malik Monk and run the offense when LeBron James sits. Overall, this could potentially be a good trade for chemistry and fit purposes for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Buddy Hield Is The Shooter The Lakers Need
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Buddy Hield
Indiana Pacers Receive: Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn
Buddy Hield is well-known for being a high-volume 3PT shooter. This year, he is averaging 14.4 PPG, while shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc on 9.0 attempts a game. For the Los Angeles Lakers, adding another high-volume shooter would help them a lot offensively.
There’s no doubt that Buddy Hield is one of the best perimeter players in the game, and there’s no question that his shooting will open things up for LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and potentially John Wall. He could thrive playing off of playmakers like LeBron James and John Wall.
The Los Angeles Lakers would give up Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn in this trade scenario. The Indiana Pacers are currently undergoing a rebuild and getting another young prospect in Talen Horton-Tucker could help them out. They would also move on from Buddy Hield’s big contract, which could be beneficial. Kendrick Nunn’s contract would be the salary filler in this scenario.
The Lakers Would Have A Much Better Lineup
The starting lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers, if they were to go through with both of these trades, would feature John Wall, Malik Monk, Buddy Hield, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
This lineup would be fairly complete. It has two high-level shooters in Buddy Hield and Malik Monk, and ballhandlers in LeBron James and John Wall. Anthony Davis would shore up the defense and provide some interior offense as well.
It is clear that the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Russell Westbrook hasn’t worked out. But these trades would allow them to have a fresh start, and perhaps there’s still a chance for them to salvage the rest of this season.
