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3 Trades To Extend LeBron & Lakers Championship Window 3 More Years

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The Los Angeles Lakers’ announcement that their strategy approaching the February 9 trade deadline would be to limit any trades made to deals that not only improve the team for this year but also over the next three years.

Frankly, the Lakers’ new trade strategy should have been their plan from beginning. Barring injury, LeBron James is playing like he will still be an elite player not only for this season but also during his two year extension.
Synching their trade deadline plans to the three years left on James’ deal makes more sense than trading away the future to win this season or stupidly sacrificing this season worrying about the post-LeBron years.

The Lakers essentially have two trade packages. The first package consists of the $20.4 million in expiring contracts of Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, and Damian Jones plus the Lakers’ 2027 or 2029 first round pick.
The second package consists of the $47 million expiring contract of Russell Westbrook plus the Lakers’ 2027 or 2029 first round pick not included in the first package. The Lakers can also make trades that don’t include picks.

Here is a 3-trade package that meet the Lakers’ new trade deadline strategy of not only helping win the team win a championship this season but also over the next two seasons in sync with LeBron James 2-year extension.

Trade 1: Toronto Raptors

If the Los Angeles Lakers want to build a team to compete for the next 3 NBA championships, they need an elite starting point guard. The first step in rebuilding this roster for the near future is trading for Fred VanVleet.

The 28-year old VanVleet is a former All-Star point guard and NBA champion who’s an elite volume 3-point shooter, an accomplished low turnover playmaker, and a feisty perimeter defender despite his size.
VanVleet is available because the Raptors continue to lose and it makes sense to rebuild around Scottie Barnes and because Fred having a subpar season and has a player option to become a free agent this summer.

The Lakers get the young starting point guard they need to optimize LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the Raptors save the second year of VanVleet’s salary and get the Lakers 2027 unprotected first round pick.

Trade 2: Detroit Pistons

Once the Lakers have VanVleet as their starting point guard, they can focus on filling out the starting lineup and upgrading the backups at all positions. The best option to do that is by trading Westbrook to the Detroit Pistons.

Bogdanovic and Burks give the Lakers new starters at small forward and shooting guard and empower the Lakers to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with three high percentage, high volume 3-point shooters.
The 33-year old Bogdanovic is shooting 43.6% from deep while the 31-year old Burks is shooting 38.6%, each on 5 attempts per game. The 28-year old Noel will let the Lakers have an elite shot blocker on court entire game.

Bogdanovic and Burks go a long way towards solving the Lakers’ 3-point shooting woes as well as giving them more positional size at shooting guard and small forward while Noel will solidly anchor second team defense.

Trade 3: New York Knicks

One of the rules to building a roster with stability and continuity is to not lose valuable players like Alex Caruso and Malik Monk to free agency for nothing. The player most at risk for that this season is Lonnie Walker IV.

If the Lakers trade Russell Westbrook, they would then not have any cap space to reward Lonnie for the excellent season he has had. Walker will likely earn a larger and longer new contract than either Caruso or Monk.
Trading Lonnie Walker IV straight up for Cam Reddish seems like a win-win trade for both teams. Lakers get a needed wing with Bird rights. The Knicks get a promising young star whom they have cap space to re-sign.

Reddish gives the Lakers another 3&D wing to backup Bogdanovic and strengthen the second unit with needed size and shooting. Reddish fits the mold of a young player the Lakers hope will grow over the next 3 years.

Lakers Depth Chart Before & After

BEFORE 3 TRADES
AFTER 3 TRADES

A quick comparison of the Los Angeles Lakers’ depth chart before and after the 3 trades and 5 new incoming players shows how dramatically the trades have upgraded not only the starting lineup but also the primary backups.

The trades provided the Lakers with three new starters in VanVleet, Burks, and Bogdanovic but also two new primary backups in Noel and Reddish. The Lakers added greatly needed front court size, shooting, and defense.
The addition of Bogdanovic allows James and Davis to slide up to the 4 and 5 and the addition of VanVleet and Burks transforms the Lakers back court into an elite high volume, high percentage 3-point shooting guard tandem.

Swapping Lonnie Walker IV to the New York Knicks for Cam Reddish completes what is effectively a midseason extreme makeover of the Los Angeles Lakers roster to make them competitive for the next 3 years.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from Lakers’ Double Overtime Loss to Mavs

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The Lakers started the second half of the season with a heart breaking double overtime 119–115 loss to the Mavericks in a game decided by a pair of game-saving threes by Luke Doncic and missed foul calls by the refs.

THE GOOD!

Lakers Almost Won Game …even though they were missing Davis, Reaves, Walker, and Beverley. The game showed the Lakers current roster can still compete and is worthy of the front office getting help via a major trade.

Free Throw, Fast Break, and Points-in-Paint …differentials were again big factors for the poor shooting Lakers, who won free throws differential by 8 points, fast break points by 10 points, and points-in-the-paint by 4 points.

Points Off Turnovers …was another positive for the Lakers, giving up only 7 points off just 10 total turnovers while scoring 18 points while causing 19 Mavericks’ turnovers, a differential of 11 points in Los Angeles’ favor.

Offensive Rebounding … also favored the Lakers, who grabbed 14 offensive rebounds to just 3 from the Mavericks. LeBron James led the way with 6 offensive boards while Wenyen Gabriel had 3 offensive rebounds.

Great Games from Gabriel and Nunn …Wenyen Gabriel had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and was +9 for 33 minutes while Nunn had 12 points and a team-best +10 plus/minus in 18 minutes on the court.

Russell Westbrook’s Defense … on Luka was great and showed he could fill the Lakers’ need for a physical wing defender to slow down and limit bigger scorers. His physical defense on Luka was impressive.

THE BAD!

Missed Free Throws … were big reason Lakers lost last night’s game. While the Lakers did make 8 more free throws, they would not have lost this game had they just shot their normal 79.5% instead of just 63.0% from the line.

Poor 3-Point Shooting … put the Lakers in a situation where they had to play an almost perfect game to win against the Mavs. Lakers lost the 3-point shooting differential by 12 points, shooting a miserable 24.4% from deep.

Bad Game from LeBron … per his standards was another reason the Lakers lost. Though he played 47 minutes,, James had a tough shooting night, needing 28 shots for 24 points, 0–7 from deep, and 6–10 from the line.

THE UGLY!

Bad Game from Thomas Bryant … showed why the Lakers might still trade for a veteran center like Myles Turner. TB was outplayed a second straight time by a bigger and more athletic center in Mavs’ Christian Wood.

Horrible Game from the Refs … who did not blow their whistles on obvious fouls on Lakers’ shooters at end of regulation and first overtime. The worst officiated game I’ve seen this year with no consistency in calls.

Lakers Are On the Clock But Which Teams Fit Best As Trading Partners?

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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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 Reasons Why Thomas Bryant Must Start at Center Next to Anthony Davis

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Best Six Trades the Los Angeles Lakers Could Pull Off Before Trade Deadline?

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.