Aloha,
While Westbrook is the big trade name, he may or may not get moved. So I’ve been looking around at other teams needs for perhaps smaller trades that could help the Lakers.
Question: Who has more long wings then just about any other team but are in desperate need of guards. Answer: The Raptors.
Question: What team has an abundance of guards but are in desperate need of a long wing. Answer: The Lakers.
This is a match made in heaven. The Raptors are running Van Fleet and Trent Jr into the ground. Both are logging over 38 minutes a game while the most any bench guard has gotten is 8 minutes a game.
My dream trade would be Nunn and PatBev for OG Anunoby a true 3 and D wing who is averaging 15 a game on 40% 3 point shooting. I would most definitely give up a protected 1st for him. He’s 25 and under a reasonable 17 mil contract for the next couple of years. And the fact he’s been unhappy with the Raptors helps. A smaller trade, Nunn and a 2nd for Otto Porter Jr would be helpful but Otto can’t be trade until December 15th.
As the season plays out there will be opportunities for many other deals beyond Russ. Hopefully a good one will materialize for the Lakers.
That would be a good trade, Michael. I think Beverley and Nunn could expiring contracts for multiple players: Anunoby and Porter would be good targets as would Terry Rozier. Might have to include one first round pick but there are several good targets that we could get in the $18M to $22M. Rozier has 4 years and $96M so he might not need a pick.