Lakerholics

With LeBron James still dominating at 38 and Anthony Davis looking like the league MVP and DPOY, the Los Angeles Lakers may not need as much help to become a legitimate contender as their front office once thought.

What’s changed the Lakers front office thinking has not only been the top-5 superstar level play of James and Davis but also the recent breakout play received from Thomas Bryant, Dennis Schröder, and Russell Westbrook.
Bryant and Schröder have probably earned starting roles at center and point guard. Even without trades, Schröder, Reaves, James, Davis, and Bryant should be good enough as starters to finish as a top-6 seed.

Ironically, the development and evolution of the above starting lineup was the silver lining in the Lakers’ poor start to the season. Credit Ham and his player development oriented staff for emergence of this starting fivesome.
In camp, Westbrook, Walker, James, Davis, and Jones were the projected starters. but a slow start, Russ going to the bench, and James and Davis getting injured opened doors for Thomas Bryant and Dennis Schröder.

The Lakers still need a volume 3-point shooting two-guard like Hield or Burks, a bigger 3&D wing like Anunoby or Kuzma, and a true stretch five center like Turner or Bamba who can protect the rim when Davis is out.
While the Lakers are supposedly willing to give up their two first round picks for a third star like Zach LaVine or Bradley Beal, they’re more likely now to make a smaller trade involving Beverley, Nunn, and one pick.

The major negotiating point in every single one of these deals is going to be whether the Lakers will give up an unprotected pick because Beverley, Nunn, and Jones have no value other than their contract is expiring.
The Lakers should expect every team to demand an unprotected pick. There will be good trades to be made where the Lakers can still keep some protection but the Lakers should expect to have to give up protections.

A Beverley, Nunn, Jones, and one-pick trade just needs a single trading partner who has a package of players the Lakers covet. Here are the five teams who are the best fits to trade with the Lakers before the deadline:

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1. Toronto Raptors

The Los Angeles Lakers best potential trading partner is the Toronto Raptors and their best trade is Beverley, Walker, Nunn, and the Lakers’ 2027 first round pick unprotected for Gary Trent, Jr. and Chris Boucher.

The Lakers give up an unprotected first round pick but receive in return a 23-year old 3&D shooting guard in Gary Trent, Jr. who averages 18.5 points per game and is a 38.5% career 3-point shooter on over 7 threes per game.
The Lakers also receive a 29-year old versatile forward/center in Chris Boucher who averaged 9.7 points, 5.7 boards, and 0.7 blocks per game in 20.9 minutes per game and can play both forwards and small ball center.

The Raptors are rebuilding around Scottie Barnes and are willing to trade everybody else. While the Lakers would be willing to give up both of their first round picks for Anunoby, this is a deal the Raptors should accept.

LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:

PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Open
SG: GARY TRENT JR / Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV
SF: LeBron James / Troy Brown Jr / Max Christie
PF: Anthony Davis / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Thomas Bryant / CHRIS BOUCHER / Open

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2. Detroit Pistons

The Los Angeles Lakers next best potential trading partner is the Detroit Pistons and their best trade is Beverley, Nunn, Jones and the Lakers 2027 first round pick unprotected for Bojan Bogdanovic and Saddiq Bey.

The Lakers give up an unprotected first round pick but receive a 33-year old 3&D small forward in Bojan Bogdanovic who averages 21.0 points per game and is a 39.4% career 3-point shooter on close to 7 attempts per game.
The Lakers also receive a 23-year old backup small forward in Saddiq Bey, who averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 boards, and 0.9 steals in 28.3 minutes per game and is a career 35.4% shooter from deep on 6 threes per game.

The Pistons wanted an unprotected first round pick to trade Bogdanovic. The Lakers give up the unprotected first round pick as quid pro quo for the Pistons including young 3&D wing Saddiq Bey as part of the transaction.

LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:

PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Open
SG: Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV / Max Christie
SF: BOJAN BOGDANOVIC / SADDIQ BEY / Troy Brown Jr
PF: LeBron James / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Anthony Davis / Thomas Bryant / Open

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3. Indiana Pacers

The Los Angeles Lakers next potential trading partner is the Indiana Pacers and their single best trade is Beverley, Nunn, Jones and the Lakers’ 2027 first round pick unprotected for Indiana center Myles Turner.

The Lakers give up an unprotected first round pick but receive a 26-year old stretch five center in Myles Turner who averages 17.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game and is shooting 37.9% on close to 4 attempts per game.
Where Turner will have the greatest impact, however, will be on the Lakers’ defense. Pairing him with Anthony Davis will essentially enable the Lakers to put a lid on their basket for all 48 minutes of every single game.

The Pacers have demanded one first round pick for taking on Westbrook’s contract and one pick for Myles Turner. Indiana should have no problem accepting expiring contracts and an unprotected first for Myles Turner.

LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:

PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Max Christie
SG: Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV / Open
SF: LeBron James / Troy Brown Jr / Open
PF: Anthony Davis / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: MYLES TURNER / Thomas Bryant / Open

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4. San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are also an excellent trading partner for the Los Angeles Lakers and their best trade is Beverley, Nunn, Jones and the 2027 first round pick unprotected for Jakob Poeltl and Josh Richardson.

The Lakers give up an unprotected first round pick but receive an elite 27-year old defensive center in Jakob Poeltl, who averages 11.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 26.4 minutes per game and shoots over 60%.
The Lakers also receive a 29-year old 6′ 6″ shooting guard with a 6′ 10″ wingspan in Josh Richardson, who’s also an outstanding defender and career 36.5% 3-point shooter and has the size to play small forward.

The Spurs are in a complete rebuild and expiring contracts and a post-LeBron James unprotected Lakers first round draft pick should be enough for them to trade Jakob Poeltl and Josh Richardson to Los Angeles.

LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:

PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Max Christie
SG: JOSH RICHARDSON / Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV
SF: LeBron James / Troy Brown Jr / Open
PF: Anthony Davis / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Thomas Bryant / JAKOB POELTL / Open

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5. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic are also an excellent trading partner for the Los Angeles Lakers and their best trade is Beverley, Nunn, Jones and the Lakers’ 2027 unprotected pick for Mo Bamba and Terrence Ross.

The Lakers give up an unprotected pick but receive a talented 24-year old backup center in Mo Bamba, who averages 7.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 18.3 minutes per game and shoots over 37% from deep.
The Lakers also receive a 31-year old 6′ 7″ shooting guard in Terrence Ross, who’s also a good defender and career 36.2% 3-point shooter on over 4 attempts per game with the size to play shooting guard or small forward.

The Magic are in a complete rebuild so expiring contracts and a post-LeBron James unprotected Lakers first round draft pick should be enough for them to trade Mo Bamba and Terrence Ross to Los Angeles.

LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:

PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Max Christie
SG: TERRENCE ROSS / Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV
SF: LeBron James / Troy Brown Jr / Open
PF: Anthony Davis / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Thomas Bryant / MO BAMBA/ Open

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6. Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bull are also a potential Los Angeles Lakers trading partner and their best potential trade for Beverley, Nunn, Jones, Walker, and the Lakers’ unprotected 2027 first round pick for DeMar DeRozan.

While some might question the fit, the Lakers have long coveted DeMar DeRozan and almost traded for him instead of Russell Westbrook last summer. Here’s a DeRozan trade that does not include Russell Westbrook.
Instead, the Lakers add Lonnie Walker to the package to make salaries match. DeRozan averaged 26.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 36.0 minutes per game. He’s not a good 3-point shooter but an elite scorer

The Bulls aren’t ready to trade LaVine but would probably jump at the chance to trade DeRozan for the Lakers 2027 unprotected first round pick. Despite no deep threat, DeRozan would make the Lakers dangerous.

LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:

PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Open
SG: Austin Reaves / Max Christie / Open
SF: DEMAR DEROZAN / Troy Brown Jr / Open
PF: LeBron James / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Anthony Davis / Thomas Bryant / Open

The Los Angeles Lakers have a good problem to deal with once Anthony Davis returns from injury, which is what should they then do with young backup center Thomas Bryant, who’s been nothing short of sensational?

Since Anthony Davis was injured on December 18th, Thomas Bryant has averaged 27.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 29.3 minutes per game starting at center while the Lakers finished 8–6.
Thomas did this shooting 65.8% from the field, 52.4% from beyond the arc, and 75.0% from the line. Along with Schröder and Westbrook, Thomas Bryant’s breakout performance has basically saved the Lakers’ season.

Once AD returns, Darvin Ham must decide whether to continue starting Thomas Bryant at center or make him the team’s backup? Considering how great Anthony Davis was playing at center, that will not be an easy decision.
In the end, positionless basketball should win out. The Lakers know their formula to win is Davis playing low post center on offense and paint shot blocker on defense, which he can do as starting center or power forward.

While the Lakers could revert to Anthony Davis starting at center in the playoffs, here are 6 reasons why Thomas Bryant should start at center and Anthony Davis at power forward once he returns for the regular season.

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1. Starting Bryant Gives Lakers Positional Size Advantage

One major advantage of starting Thomas Bryant at center with Davis and James sliding to the four and three is it gives the Lakers positional size advantage at the small forward, power forward, and center positions.

While the Lakers desperately need more size at the small forward position, finding even a quality 3&D wing to backup LeBron James has been a challenge and landing a starting quality small forward is near impossible.
But starting Thomas Bryant at center and pushing Anthony Davis to the four and LeBron James to the three is the other way the Lakers can solve their size issues. We may also see Davis defending threes and James fours.

A Lakers’ front court of James, Davis, and Bryant at 6′ 9″, 6′ 10, and 6′ 10″ would be one of the biggest and most physical front courts in the league and would be matchup nightmares for many of the teams in the NBA.
Barring a trade at the deadline for an elite 3&D wing like O.G. Anunoby, keeping Bryant as the starting center is likely the easiest way for the Lakers to add desperately needed size and shooting to their starting lineup.

Positional size advantage is critical for Lakers. The only way they can win with this roster is by offsetting the points they lose in the 3-point shooting battle by winning the free throw and points-in-the-paint differentials.

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2. Starting Bryant Could Help Keep Davis Injury Free

The Los Angeles Lakers would be foolish not to realize at this point that Anthony Davis is injury prone and take necessary steps in constructing a roster and establishing rotations to keep AD healthy and on the court.

One obvious strategic move would be to start a bruising physical center like Thomas Bryant next to Anthony Davis to limit the banging and physicality he has to endure against bigger centers like Jokic, Embiid, and Sabonis.
While it’s hard to specifically link Davis’ injury history with his playing center or power forward, it just makes sense for the Lakers to pair AD with a stretch five like Bryant who can share some of the low post physicality.

One of the traits the Lakers love about Thomas Bryant is his engine and motor. He’s exactly the kind of court mate that Anthony Davis needs to take on the more physical aspects of playing the center position in today’s NBA.
NBA teams have learned that being physical with Anthony Davis is the best way to limit or stop him. Providing him with an aggressive physical front court mate like Thomas Bryant should help keep AD fit and healthy.

Building a roster to support an injury prone Anthony Davis is a better path than giving up and trading a transcendental MVP and DPOY caliber player. Lakers should start Thomas Bryant so help keep Anthony Davis healthy.

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3. Starting Bryant Opens Backup Center for Rim Protector

As terrific as Bryant has been offensively, his lack of footspeed and lateral quickness severely limits his impact defensively. Starting him alongside an elite three-level defender like Anthony Davis covers his defensive liabilities.

Starting Bryant at center also opens minutes for a backup center who can protect the rim when AD’s not in the game. Next to a big wing defender, L.A.’s greatest defensive need is a backup center who can protect the rim.
Now is also the perfect time for the Lakers to find a better third center than Damian Jones as there’s a good chance Thomas Bryant will have played himself out of the Lakers price range and they’ll lost him to free agency.

Thus, finding a backup center who can stretch the floor and attack the rim offensively like Thomas Bryant but also block shots and provide defensive rim protection when AD rests is a critical need the Lakers need to fill.
The best possible candidate could be the Orlando Magic’s Mo Bamba, a 24-year old, 7′ 1″, 231 lb center who‘s averaging 7.7 points, shooting 37.0% on 2.8 3PA’s per game and blocking 1.1 shots in just 18.0 minutes per game.

Starting Thomas Bryant at center opens up an opportunity for the Lakers to pursue a defensive oriented backup center who can provide greatly needed rim protection for the team whenever Anthony Davis is on the bench.

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4. Starting Bryant Improves Spacing for James and Davis

The biggest challenge the Laker front office faces right now is surrounding superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis with shooting. Starting 6′ 10″ sharpshooting Thomas Bryant at center could help the Laker spacing.

Right now, Bryant leads the Lakers in 3-point shooting percentage, hitting 45.2%. While Thomas does most of his scoring damage at the rim while AD was out, he has the gunner attitude to become a high volume stretch five.
Assuming the Lakers want AD to continue to dominate in the post when in the game, it’s logical to expect the them to want to turn Bryant into a high-volume stretch five similar to the Bucks’ starting center Brook Lopez.

The Lakers have struggled all season to come up with lineups to surround James and Davis with role players who can shoot and are big enough to defend their positions. Bryant is the cure for those three guard lineups.
Starting Bryant leaves Darvin Ham with only starting point guard and shooting guard to decide. From the current roster, the best options would be Dennis Schröder (38.5% 3P%) and Austin Reaves (36.0% 3P%).

Starting Thomas Bryant at center is a key first step towards finally surrounding LeBron James and Anthony Davis with volume 3-point shooting to give them the spacing needed to attack the paint and rim.

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5. Starting Bryant Enables Davis To Play Preferred Position

Anthony Davis has never wavered in his preference to play power forward rather than center. But he’s also always said he would do ‘whatever it takes’ and proved that by playing the five in the 2020 championship in the bubble.

Frankly, the Lakers prefer the version of Anthony Davis they saw right before he injured his foot in December, an MVP and DPOY caliber player replacing long twos and threes shot selection with easier dunks and layups.
Davis and the Lakers need to remember the game is becoming positionless. There’s no reason Davis can’t continue to take and make the exact same kinds of shots he did before when starting at center as power forward.

All Anthony Davis wants is space to do his thing. If that means starting lower in the paint, so be it. If it means attacking the rim to get a dunk or get to the line, so be it. Anthony Davis totally understands ‘whatever it takes.’
It will be Thomas Bryant’s whose game will change once Anthony Davis returns and becomes the primary option. While he’ll get his touches in the paint, Thomas’ primary goal as a starter will be to create spacing for AD.

While Anthony Davis will get to return to his preferred starting power forward position if Thomas Bryant starts at center, the Lakers will focus their offense on getting the ball to Anthony Davis close to the rim.

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6. Starting Bryant Allows Ham to Play Offense Like Bucks

Head coach Darvin Ham’s original plan was to have the Lakers run the two-bigs offense he used in Milwaukee with Antetokounmpo and Lopez having Bryant or Jones playing center and Anthony Davis playing power forward.

Injuries to Bryant and a poor start by Jones caused Ham to throw out the two-bigs plan and revert to Anthony Davis at the five, which turned out to be the move that unleased a new version of him better than bubble AD.
Then came the unfortunate foot injury in December, which opened the door for a finally healthy Thomas Bryant to throw his cap in the ring as a legitimate difference maker since he helped resurrect the Lakers’ season.

Bryant has basically played so well that Ham and the Lakers are already leaning towards continuing to start Thomas once Anthony Davis returns, which gives Ham the opportunity to run a version of the Buck’s two-bigs.
For the Lakers, returning to two-bigs for at least the rest of the regular season makes sense. In fact, playing two bigs during the regular season was a major favtor in the Lakers 2020 championship run in the bubble.

Darwin Ham has been ‘hamstrung’ all season by a poorly constructed roster from the Lakers’ front office but everything now suddenly seems to be falling in place for Los Angeles. Kuddos to Coach Darvin Ham!

While the Play-In Tournament and a plague of parity has limited the number of teams who are sellers at this point in the season, that could change dramatically as we approach the February 9 trade deadline.

Over the next month, the Lakers should see more teams become buyers and asking prices dropping as we reach the halfway point in the season and the cost for dumping a contract like Westbrook’s is cut almost in half.
It’s one thing to trade for a player due $47 million and having to pay his full salary for the entire year versus only having to cover the second half of the $47 million owed to Westbrook. It’s like Russ in on a 50% off sale right now.

Same is true of the $20.4 million in Beverley’s, Nunn’s, and Jones’ expiring contracts. Right now, teams taking over those contracts will only end up paying out $10.2 million since the Lakers have already paid half of that.
Right now, there is a plague of parity that has given almost every team in the league a realistic chance at making at least the Play-In Tournament if not the actual playoffs themselves. That will change over the next month.

As we head toward the February 9 trade deadline, here are the best zero-pick, one-pick, and two-pick Lakers trades for Westbrook and the best zero-pick, one-pick, and two-pick Lakers trades for Beverley and Nunn.

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1. Best Zero-Pick Lakers Trade for Russell Westbrook

Lakers and Knicks agree to trade without any draft capital. Knicks take on Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract while Lakers take on 2-years and $55.9 million owed Fournier and 3-years and $82.7 million owed Randle.

While the trade doesn’t transform the Lakers into instant contenders, it does give them needed upgrades in size and shooting without costing them any picks, giving Los Angeles three available picks to trade this summer.
Since all three contracts are for 2 or 3 years, the Lakers will have over $47 million in tradeable contracts to go with the 3 available first round picks, perfectly positioning Los Angeles for a blockbuster trade this summer.

If the Lakers are willing to accept over $135 million in Fournier’s and Randle’s multi-year deals, they can probably upgrade their roster via a trade with the Knicks without giving up any of their first round picks.

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2. Best Zero-Pick Lakers Trade for Beverley and Nunn

Lakers and Hornets agree to trade without any draft capital. Hornets take on Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract. In return, the Lakers take on the 2 years and $73.1 million remaining on Terry Rozier’s contract.

Since the Lakers are taking back over $70 million in Rozier’s contract, there is no way they’re also going to give up a first round draft pick. The Hornets will also only have to pay half of Russ’ $47 million contract at this point.
Both this deal and the potential zero-picks trade with the Knicks are simple salary dumps where the Lakers would normally receive a first round pick for taking on the extra salary, which is offset by taking on Russ’ contract.

If the Lakers are willing to take back over $70 million in future salary as the cost for trading Westbrook to the Hornets, then there’s a good chance they can pull off a trade for Russ that does not include any first round picks.

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3. Best One-Pick Lakers Trade for Russell Westbrook

Wizards take on Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract and get Lakers unprotected 2027 first round pick while Lakers take on 1 year and $36.0 million owed Porzingis and the 1 year and $13 million owed Kuzma.

There’s a good chance that the Lakers will compromise with LeBron James by trading one and keeping one of their two available tradeable first round draft picks to potentially use in a mega trade for a third star next summer.
On draft day, the Lakers would be able to offer their 2023 first round pick along with their 2027 and 2029 picks, giving them a total of 3 draft picks that could be packaged with Kuzma and Porzingis to trade for a third star.

If the Lakers decide to keep one of their available two picks, then they need to be able to bring back difference making size, shooting, and defense via the other first round pick. Porzingis and Kuzma are well worth 1 pick.

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4. Best One-Pick Lakers Trade for Beverley and Nunn

Hornets get L.A’s first round draft pick for taking on Beverley’s $13.0 million, Nunn’s $5.2 million, and Jones $1.8 million expiring contracts while Lakers take on the 2-years and $20.5 million owed to Bogdanovic.

Bogdanovic would be the perfect addition to the Lakers starting lineup and would give LeBron James and Anthony Davis the elite 3-point shooting and deadeye midrange shooting Los Angeles needs to close out four quarters.
Considering that the Pistons would only have to pay the second half of Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract, the Lakers 2027 unprotected first round draft pick should be enough for L.A. and Detroit to agree upon.

Landing an elite starting 3&D wing like Bogdanovic plus a promising young 3&D wing like Bey should be enough for the Los Angeles Lakers to give up one of their two available first round draft picks without any protection.

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5. Best Two-Pick Lakers Trade for Russell Westbrook

Raptors take on Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract while the Lakers take on the 1 year and $22.8 million owed VanVleet, the 2 years and $22.5 million owed Boucher, and the 1 year and $18.6 million owed Trent, Jr.

The beauty of this trade from the Lakers standpoint is they get a trio of new starters to go with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in point guard Fred VanVleet, shooting guard Gary Trent, Jr., and power forward Chris Boucher.
The Lakers get three new starters under 30-years old who are proven above average career 3-point shooters who can play defense. The Raptors get two potentially top-5 post-LeBron James unprotected first round draft picks.

The Toronto Raptors are struggling right now and unless there’s a sudden winning streak, they’re likely to decide to rebuild around Scottie Barnes, which means the Lakers could tempt them with two unprotected picks.

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6. Best Two-Pick Lakers Trade for Beverley and Nunn

The Raptors O.G. Anunoby is probably the most coveted 3&D wing in the league right now. Lakers give up the $20.4 million in Beverley’s, Nunn’s, and Jones’ expiring contract for the 2 years and $38.5 million owed Anunoby.

Awarding the Raptors their 2027 and 2029 first round picks without any protection for a non-All Star player like Anunoby would be a bold move to fill the gaping hole the Lakers have had in wings the last three seasons.
In a way, it’s the kind of simple strategic move that is a double win: a huge upgrade to give LeBron and AD a chance to win in the current season and an long-term investment to add a difference maker at a coveted position.

Trading Beverley, Nunn, Jones, and their 2027 and 2029 unprotected first round picks to the Toronto Raptors for elite 3&D wing O.G. Anunoby would be the best two-pick Los Angeles Lakers trade for Beverley and Nunn.

The Lakers have not only learned how to win without one of their two superstars but also how to steal games when both of their superstars are not in the lineup as they did last night in their upset of the Miami Heat.

Now 17–21 and riding a 3-game winning streak, the Los Angeles Lakers are 12th in the West only 1.0 game out of 10th seed and the Play-In Tournament and just 3.5 games out of 5th seed and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
With the West wide open, the Lakers have a golden opportunity to go all-in and make critical trades to give a dominant LeBron James and MVP level Anthony Davis the opportunity to lead the Los Angeles to their 18th title.

Here are three straightforward trades the Lakers should pursue to acquire a 3&D wing to start at small forward, a point guard who can shoot and take care of the ball, and depth in the form of three high quality bench players.

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1. Detroit Pistons Beverley/Nunn Trade

The Lakers give up their 2027 first round pick unprotected to get a pair of legitimate 3&D wings to start and backup the small forward position. Both Bogdanovic and Bey are big physical players who can shoot and defend.

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2. Utah Jazz Russell Westbrook Trade

The Lakers give up 2029 pick unprotected for a trio of players from the Utah Jazz. Conley gives Lakers starting point guard who can shoot and take care of the ball while Clarkson and Olynyk add shooting off the bench.

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3. New York Knicks Lonnie Walker Trade

The Lakers give up Lonnie Walker IV, whom they would not be able to re-sign next summer, and a second round pick for Cam Reddish. Trade makes sure Lakers don’t lose Walker for nothing like they did Monk last year.

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4. Lakers Depth Chart After Three Trades

With LeBron James still dominating and Anthony Davis playing like MVP and DPOY, the Lakers starting lineup and primary reserves could be among the best in the league. This is a championship roster from top to bottom.

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5. Lakers Salary Cap This Summer

While the Lakers used their 2027 and 2029 first round picks, they transformed their roster into a contender and positioned themselves with over $70 million in tradeable contracts other than James and Davis.

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6. Lakers Must Act When Opportunity Knocks

The Lakers are fortunate to still be this close with both James and Davis missing time due to injuries but they must act now while the opportunity is there to make the trades to transform them into legitimate contenders.

The Lakers would like to keep both picks to pursue a third superstar next summer. Their superstars would like to see them trade both picks for more size and shooting. The logical compromise could be a one-pick trade.

Let’s be clear from the start, the Los Angeles Lakers are not going to write off this season and cause irrevocable damage to their long-term alliance with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Rich Paul, and Klutch Sports Group.
Those hoping this would signal the unraveling of the relationship between the Lakers and LeBron James will be as disappointed as failed suitors who were hoping the secret love-of-their-lives was going to ask for a divorce.

The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James are essentially a married couple. LeBron is going to retire in purple and gold and the Lakers are going to honor him with the same royal treatment as Kobe Bryant.
While there’s a conflict over whether or not to trade the picks, the partners will simply work out a compromise to keep everybody happy and the marriage intact, which is exactly what’s probably going to happen here.

Here are five reasons why LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers must reach a compromise that will enable the front office keep one of the two picks as a future trading chip but trade the other to upgrade the roster.

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Reason 1: LeBron James’ Recent Play!

LeBron James’ recent MVP level play and season long display of athleticism never before seen by a 38-year old NBA player confirms Dennis Schröder’s comments that James believes he could actually play until he’s 45-years old.

Lakers VPBO Rob Pelinka specifically promised LeBron James the Lakers would do everything they could, including trading the two picks, to give the King a legitimate opportunity to win another championship this season.
While a promise is a promise, injuries to Davis and James have changed the landscape and it’s not unreasonable for Pelinka and the Lakers to want to keep draft capital this summer. Agreeing to trade one pick seems logical.

It’s one thing for the Los Angeles Lakers to consider tearing this team down, trading their superstars, and completely rebuilding if LeBron James were on his last legs and Anthony Davis was unable stay on the court.
But it’s lunacy to do this when LeBron James at 38-years old is playing at an elite MVP level and all signs appear to signal that he’s going to be the NBA’s version of Tom Brady, who can still be an impactful superstar at age 45.

The Lakers and LeBron would be fools not to recognize he still has multiple seasons of All-Star level play and multiple potential championships in his bag and saving one pick to give them two picks this summer is important.

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Reason 2: Anthony Davis’ Recent Play!

While LeBron pummeled Father Time with a pair of 40-point games, let’s not forget the good news that Anthony Davis worrisome foot injury is now rapidly healing with AD’s return projected sometime in mid January.

The latest news was Davis was scheduled for an MRI when the team got back from the road trip that just ended on Monday. Hopefully, that MRI will look good and Davis can start ramping up to return the court in January.
Needless to say, LeBron will have to continue to carry the load for the Lakers until Anthony Davis returns. Hopefully, that will be the middle of January when the Lakers will have been able to even their record at .500.

Frankly, the prospect of a Lakers team with a healthy, motivated LeBron James still dominating Father Time and a healthy, driven Anthony Davis playing like the MVP and DPOY is a nightmare for the rest of the NBA.
We know how important time off was to Anthony Davis’s great play in the bubble so having him get a month off in the middle of the season could be a bonus for the Lakers as he will be fresher and healthier for playoffs.

Now that Anthony Davis has shown he can take the torch from LeBron James as the best player on the planet, the Lakers need to agree to a compromise one-pick trade to give James and Davis a shot at #18.

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Reason 3: The West Is Wide Open!

The third reason the Lakers and LeBron need to agree to a compromise one-pick trade is the West is wide open and 13th seed Los Angeles is only 1 loss away from the Play-In Tournament and 3 losses from the playoffs.

Assuming LeBron James and the Lakers can improve their record to close to .500 by the middle of January and get a healthy Anthony Davis back near the same time, they should still have a realistic shot at making the playoffs.
LeBron has the 16–21 Lakers on a 2-game win streak with 6 games left through January 15th: Miami and Atlanta at home, then Sacramento and Denver on the road, followed by Dallas and Philadelphia at home.

Assuming the LeBron James can carry the Lakers over the next 6 games and Anthony Davis will be back close to the middle of January, the Lakers could find themselves in perfect position for a stretch run on January 15.
With or without a trade, the Lakers will hopefully have enough firepower with AD back to start moving up the standings, passing teams in the Play-In Tournament until they lock up a spot among the Top-6 teams in the West.

Ultimately, the Lakers are likely at this point to wait until the last minute to make their compromise one-pick trade hoping they will be able to get a better return for one pick by waiting until January 115 trade deadline.

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Reason 4: The Pelicans’ Pick Swap!

The fourth reason the Lakers and LeBron need to work out a one-pick trade compromise is the Lakers may owe their 2023 first round draft pick to the New Orleans Pelicans due to a pick swap from the Anthony Davis trade.

Were the season to end today, the Lakers would be tied with the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors for the 7th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft while the New Orleans Pelicans are projected to have the 24th pick in the draft.
In that scenario, the Pelicans would swap picks with the Lakers, getting the #7 pick and a 26% chance of a Top-4 pick while the Lakers would pick #24. The Lakers would love to move up to the Top-6 to limit the Pelicans’ pick.

The irony of the looming Pelicans’ 2023 pick swap resulting in the Lakers missing out on a generational talent has contributed to Pelinka’s reluctance to give up L.A.’s 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks without protection.
It almost seems as if Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office has lost their confidence and are almost as afraid of making another monumental mistake that could cost the Lakers another decade of lottery basketball.

The very last thing the Los Angeles Lakers want to happen is to finish so low that the New Orleans Pelicans end up winning the rights to draft Victor Wembanyama. Compromising on a one-pick trade would help prevent that.

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Reason 5: The Celtics Threat to #18!

Just like the Pelicans’ pick swap, the Boston Celtics emergence as potential favorites to win the 2023 NBA championship should be strong motivation for the Los Angeles Lakers to make a one-pick swap for a shot to win #18.

The Lakers 2020 Championship in the bubble finally enabled Los Angeles to pull even with the Boston Celtics as the only NBA teams who have won 17 championships. Allowing the Celtics to get to #18 first is unacceptable.
With LeBron James still dominant and Anthony Davis playing like the MVP, the Lakers cannot cede the 2023 NBA championship to the Boston Celtics. They need a one-pick trade to upgrade their starting lineup and rotation.

Even adding a single elite player like Bojan Bogdanovic or O.G. Anunoby could dramatically improve the quality of the Lakers roster and allow L.A. to surround James and Davis with more size, shooting, and defense.
Ideally, the matchup the basketball world wants to see in the 2023 NBA Finals is the Los Angeles Lakers against the Boston Celtics, with the winner becoming the only team in the league with 18 NBA championships.

The Lakers need to pull off a blockbuster one-pick trade to upgrade their starting lineup and rotation and give a dominant LeBron James and MVP level Anthony Davis a chance to beat the Celtics head-to-head for #18.