Just for LT

Some outside the box trades that could allow us to keep both picks and improve the team, potentially.

Lakers get younger:
Patrick Beverley for Wiseman and Moody

Warriors have a defensive problem, a chemistry problem and just sent Wiseman to the G League. What better time to call them up and see if an aged hard-nosed defender on an expiring deal that gets them out of paying Wiseman next season for a win-now player is of interest? Moody is really there to make the deal work and the Lakers would have to waive somebody, likely Gabriel or Jones. My bet would be Jones who has struggled to find his impact and role on our team. Moody has team options going forward so will likely not be retained past this season when the Warriors will be facing a massive tax bill.

Lakers get volume

Patrick Beverley & Kendrick Nunn for Duncan Robinson and Max Struss

Miami has a dependable PG problem, the Lakers need shooting and defense. This trade gets the Lakers your potential volume three point shooters and a decent defender in Strus. Robinson may have to be lipped on down the line and , not coincidentally, his salary all but lines up with Buddy Heild’s (Lakers would have to toss in a vet min guy). Same problem with either player: only good at one thing nd that can still be streaky as all get out.

Lakers get Older

Patrick Beverley and Juan Toscano-Anderson for Jae Crowder and Torrey Craig

Phoenix gets out of the business of paying Jae Crowder to stay home and moves an older player in Craig for a guy who might finally find his home in Phoenix (JTA, his story plays great there, admittedly not the best sell). The real reason this gets done is to help Chris Paul be healthy when it matters: come the playoffs. Let Beverley burn himself out all season long and let CP3 stay warm but not over-burdened. Everything expires so the new ownership group will be looking at a premium team with a lower cap hit next season, should the Suns not want to retain any of their services.

Russell Westbrook (1 FRP) for DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso and Coby White

See? I can trade Russ, too. Can’t have a Russ w/o at least 1 pick. Just ain’t gonna happen, this one in and of itself is far-fetched enough. This brings the team the Lakers woulda coulda shoulda had last season to the team. Call it the Let’s Do the Time Warp, Again trade. Chicago goes all in on VW and can use our pick to move LaVine or whomever they want to rebuild around the (hopefully) incoming VW. Honestly, for this to happen, Chicago would have to really fall off a cliff. They’re 6-9…but they’re 6-9. Whole lotta season left so, if I’m being myself…which is realistic…I would say this happens once the calendar year turns if not even later than that. Like February which is when I have thought a Westbrook is most likely to happen all along. Lakers would have to waive two players, likely JTA and Jones.