5 Blockbuster Trades That Would Give The Los Angeles Lakers A Third Superstar
The Los Angeles Lakers are the favorites for the NBA title this year. They have the best player in the world in LeBron James and the greatest big man in the world in Anthony Davis. With the Purple and Gold fresh off the NBA championship in 2020, they have all the momentum in the world. Not to mention, they currently hold the best record in the Western Conference.
But the NBA is unpredictable as injuries or cold streaks can impact any team, including the Lakers. This means that they need to go all-in and acquire a third star to relive the 34-year old LeBron James and an injury-prone Anthony Davis. Here are the 5 stars the Lakers can acquire to guarantee the NBA title this season.
5. CJ McCollum
2020-2021 Statistics: 26.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Credit: Getty Images
Trade Package: Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Talen Horton-Tucker for C.J. McCollum
McCollum is no longer known as the high-scoring sidekick to Damian Lillard. McCollum is a professional scorer and one of the most consistent offensive players in the league. With C.J, you know you are getting 20 points at the minimum every night. The Lakers obviously have Anthony Davis and LeBron James on offense, but McCollum adds a third piece that puts the Lakers ahead of the pack in the Western Conference.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis have had decent shooting guards on the team such as Danny Green and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the past 2 seasons, but McCollum is on another level. McCollum can easily be the #1 option on any night and he gives the Lakers security with a third All-Star caliber scorer and player.
4. DeMar DeRozan
2020-2021 Statistics: 20.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 7.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Credit: Getty Images
Trade Package: Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Talen Horton-Tucker for DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan has a dinosaur's game with his mid-range preference, but he is very effective as a third option. DeMar can create his own shot with ease and is a very athletic defender. DeRozan can score in isolation and also be a playmaker when his teammates are open. DeRozan is an All-Star for a reason, and he will find the most success in his career as the third option in Los Angeles.
DeRozan gives the Lakers a very scary addition. He can't shoot as well as Caldwell-Pope but is a better all-around player. DeRozan's ability on the fast break means that LeBron James has his best running partner since Dwyane Wade. DeRozan is hungry to redeem himself after getting booted from Toronto, so playing with LeBron will allow him to channel his energy into winning a ring or two with Los Angeles.
3. Pascal Siakam
2020-2021 Statistics: 18.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Trade Package: Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Talen Horton-Tucker for Pascal Siakam
A slow start to the season has left people wondering if Pascal Siakam is actually an All-Star player. But the Raptors franchise player has picked it up and is slowly finding his footing again this season. Siakam is a very capable secondary or third star for a championship team, which makes him a perfect fit for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Siakam was a monster as Kawhi Leonard's backup star in Toronto as he plays on both ends of the floor and is best at doing the little things. Siakam is very capable of scoring 20 points a night, but he is excellent at rebounding and being a team passer. Siakam would make the Lakers more formidable on defense and offense and is one of the most unselfish stars in the NBA.
2. Zach LaVine
2020-2021 Statistics: 27.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG
(via Blue Man Hoop)
Trade Package: Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Talen Horton-Tucker for Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine has a lot of teams on alert this season. He is a big-time player because he has shown the ability to lead his team in scoring spectacularly, using athleticism and offensive prowess to his advantage. Unfortunately for LaVine, he is wasting his years on a very poor Chicago Bulls squad. This is where the Los Angeles Lakers come in.
His style of play suits Los Angeles greatly, and he is a perfect star to play alongside LeBron and Davis. LaVine previously stated how his dream teammate is LeBron James, so LaVine in Los Angeles would be a dream scenario for the Bulls youngster and also the entire Los Angeles Lakers franchise. LaVine is on another level this year and his 27.7 PPG is an example of what he brings to the table as one of the best scorers in the NBA.
1. Bradley Beal
2020-2021 Statistics: 34.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Trade Package: Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Talen Horton-Tucker, 2027 First-Round Pick for Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal is the single best option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is the best scorer in the NBA right now, and he is capable of going off for 50 points every night. Davis and Beal would be the best supporting cast LeBron ever had, and it will certainly result in a Lakers championship in 2021.
Beal is averaging 34.7 PPG this season, clearly higher than both LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Beal can be the spot-up shooter the Lakers desperately crave, and he will absolutely destroy defenses with Davis scoring the ball and LeBron being the playmaker. In all fairness, Bradley Beal on the Lakers would be hilarious to watch. No team would stand a chance and we might be looking at LeBron James capturing 6 or 7 rings before his career is up.
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