The latest reports indicate that the Lakers are leaning towards smaller trades that don’t include Russell Westbrook or both of their available first round draft picks as they do not see any trade that’s worth both picks.
The driving force behind making a smaller trade is the Lakers’ constant desire to have their cake and eat it too. The Lakers essentially want to split the baby and use some of their assets to win now and others to win later.
Rob Pelinka is petrified that the post-LeBron James Lakers could be doomed to a decade in the lottery just like the post-Kobe Bryant squads. That’s why he won’t go all-in and spend both picks to upgrade this roster.
The Lakers have two trade options to upgrade the roster. The bigger option is Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract while the smaller option is Beverley’s, Nunn’s, and Walker’s $25 million in expiring contracts.
Pelinka’s strategy is to focus on the smaller option and trade Beverley, Nunn, Jones, and one first round pick for size and shooting. By keeping Russ and letting his contract expire, Lakers create $35 million in cap space.
The Lakers are hoping the re-emergence of Bubble LeBron and AD plus a small trade for one or two legitimate starters or rotation players could be enough to give the Lakers’ current roster a puncher’s chance to win it all.
How aggressive the Lakers will be on the trade front will be dependent on how successful they are on their upcoming 6-game road trip against the Eastern Conference Bucks, Wizards, Cavaliers, Raptors, 76ers, and Pistons.
Here are 10 trades in order that make the Lakers better that don’t include Westbrook. All of them but one include the Lakers’ 2027 unprotected first round draft pick. Lakers could also trade Westbrook and their other pick.
1. Pacers’ Myles Turner
2. Hornets’ Kelly Oubre, Jr. and P.J. Washington
3. Pistons Bojan Bogdanovic
4. Raptors O.G. Anunoby
5. Suns’ Jae Crowder
6. Hornets’ Terry Rozier
7. Knicks Cam Reddish
8. Raptors’ Gary Trent, Jr.
9. Pacers’ Buddy Hield
10. Jazz’ Jarred Vanderbilt
