The Los Angeles Lakers had an excellent run towards the end of the campaign as they made the Western Conference Finals despite being under .500 for most of the season before the trade deadline. As the team looks to build on its recent playoff success and make a run at another title, there are a number of intriguing trade ideas that could help them achieve their goals. The Western Conference is becoming more talented by the week, especially since the Phoenix Suns added All-Star guard Bradley Beal to create another superteam led by Kevin Durant. Of course, the Denver Nuggets are the reigning NBA champions who will run it back with the same core next season while the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors can never be forgotten.
The Lakers need to make moves to acquire a better team, and they have three options in terms of making deals.
The first is a high-risk trade for a player who could be on the decline but has a Hall of Fame induction ceremony coming his way in the future. This deal is a high-risk one because the Lakers are already old and acquiring another veteran isn’t ideal although it could be high-reward if it works out. The next trade is one that involves an elite scorer and shooter who could be on the trade market considering his team is moving in a new direction by all accounts. Finally, a third deal could be on the cards that add a center and shifts Anthony Davis to the power forward position.
There are a number of intriguing trade ideas that the Lakers could explore this summer, each with its own set of risks and rewards. Whether they decide to go all-in on a high-risk trade for a legendary point guard, make a blockbuster deal for a top shooting guard, or pursue a trade for good defensive center, the Lakers will need to carefully weigh their options and make the best decision for their team’s long-term success.
High-Risk Trade For Chris Paul
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The first trade is a high-risk, high-reward one for future Hall of Famer Chris Paul. Paul is 38 years old and clearly past his prime, but if he can stay healthy, it would be a massive addition to a Lakers team trying to win it all next season. Chris Paul has been traded to the Washington Wizards but will likely be re-routed as part of the agreed deal for the Phoenix Suns to acquire Bradley Beal. Even if the rival Los Angeles Clippers are targeting Paul as well, the Lakers might have the advantage because they are going all-in for next season.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Chris Paul
Washington Wizards Receive: D’Angelo Russell (Sign and Trade)
First and foremost, despite his age, Chris Paul is still one of the best point guards in the league when healthy, and his veteran leadership and playmaking abilities could be a huge asset to the Lakers as they look to contend for a championship. Additionally, Paul has a wealth of playoff experience, having made it to the postseason in 15 of his 18 NBA seasons, and he could help mentor some of the younger players on the Lakers roster including Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura.
On the other hand, D’Angelo Russell is only 27 years old but his inconsistency has led the Lakers to believe that he is not the answer going forward. While he is still young and has plenty of potential there is no guarantee that he will develop into the kind of player that the Lakers need to win a championship next season. By trading him for Chris Paul, the Lakers would be getting a proven star who could help them win now, rather than waiting for Russell to develop.
Of course, there are some risks involved in making this trade. Chris Paul is 38 years old and has had some injury issues in recent years, so there is always the possibility that he could decline rapidly or miss significant time due to injury. Additionally, the Lakers would likely have to give up some other assets in addition to Russell in order to make the trade work, which could weaken their overall depth and flexibility.
Overall, though, the potential benefits of trading for Chris Paul likely outweigh the risks. If the Lakers are serious about contending for a championship in the near future, they need to be willing to make bold moves like this one. And with LeBron James still playing at an elite level and Anthony Davis in his prime, the time is now for the Lakers to go all-in and make a push for the title next season before The King rides off into the sunset and forces the franchise into a full-on rebuild.
Blockbuster Deal For Sharpshooter Zach LaVine
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Another option for the Lakers would be to trade for 2-time All-Star Zach LaVine, one of the best shot-creators and shooters in the NBA. LaVine posted 24.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 4.2 APG this season and barely missed the playoffs with the Chicago Bulls. No doubt, the 28-year-old is talented enough to win alongside two superstars.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Austin Reaves, Malik Beasley, No. 17 Overall Pick
The Lakers need another All-Star offensive player, and Zach LaVine fits the bill. LaVine is a proven scorer in the NBA, averaging over 20 points per game in each of the last five seasons and posted over 24 PPG on 48.5% FG, 37.5% 3-PT FG, and 84.8% FT this season. He would provide the Lakers with a much-needed scoring punch, especially from the perimeter.
Additionally, LaVine is still just 28 years old and has plenty of room to grow as a player. He has shown flashes of being a capable playmaker and defender, and could potentially develop into a more well-rounded player under the tutelage of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Even when James retires, LaVine can be the franchise cornerstone who can score the ball at a high level and continue to sell tickets consistently.
On the other hand, Austin Reaves and Malik Beasley are both relatively unproven players who have yet to establish themselves as consistent contributors at the NBA level despite Reaves’ ascension this season. While they both have some potential, it’s unclear whether Reaves will ever develop into an impact player on the level of Zach LaVine. By trading for LaVine, they would be getting a proven commodity who could help them win now. While it would be a tough decision to part with Reaves, Beasley, and the No. 17 pick, the potential upside of acquiring a player like Zach LaVine makes it a move that the Lakers should seriously consider. Once again, the Lakers do not have much time as James is getting closer to retiring, and creating a Big Three while still retaining Jarred Vanderbilt and possibly Dennis Schroder to round out the roster makes more than perfect sense.
Acquiring Big Man Myles Turner To Fortify Defense
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Lastly, the Lakers might have to settle for a two-way big man to fortify the paint, defense, and cohesion in the locker room. Sometimes, a star player is not available despite the rumors and that means shifting Anthony Davis to his preferred position could place the Lakers in a better position to compete for the 2023-24 NBA championship.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers Receive: Rui Hachimura (Sign-And-Trade), Mo Bamba, No. 17 Overall Pick
Myles Turner is a proven defensive force in the league, and the Lakers could certainly use his shot-blocking and rim-protecting abilities. He has averaged 2.3 BPG over the course of his career, and his presence in the paint could help shore up the Lakers’ defense. Additionally, Turner is a solid offensive player as well, with a career average of 13.4 PPG. He is a good shooter from beyond the arc (37.3% 3-PT FG this season), which could help space the floor for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
With Turner in the lineup, the Lakers would have another reliable scoring option to complement their star players. As for the players the Lakers would be giving up in this trade, Rui Hachimura has shown promise in his young career, but he is still a bit of an unknown quantity. Mo Bamba has struggled to find his footing in the league, and the Lakers may be willing to part with him in order to acquire a more established player like Turner. Finally, the No. 17 overall pick in this year’s draft is a valuable asset, but the Lakers may be willing to part with it in order to make a win-now move.
With LeBron and AD both in their aging years, the Lakers are in win-now mode, and a trade for Turner could help them achieve their goals in the short term. It is not often a center with incredible shot-blocking abilities and outside shooting becomes available, and if it means parting ways with a power forward of Hachimura’s talents, it must be done. It is no secret that Davis prefers to be a power forward and a twin-towers pairing with Turner would be difficult to score against.
Which Plan Works Best For The Lakers?
There is no doubt that a realistic trade target for the Lakers this summer is Chris Paul, the veteran point guard who has been a perennial All-Star throughout his career. While Paul is getting up there in age and has had some injury concerns in recent years, he remains one of the most s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed and savvy players in the league, with a wealth of experience and leadership qualities that could be invaluable to a team like the Lakers.
Another trade idea that has been floated for the Lakers is a blockbuster deal for Zach LaVine, the high-flying shooting guard who has emerged as one of the most dynamic scorers in the league over the past few seasons. LaVine would bring a much-needed scoring punch to the Lakers’ backcourt, and his athleticism and ability to create his own shot would make him a valuable asset in any lineup.
Finally, the Lakers could also consider a trade for Myles Turner, the talented big man who has emerged as one of the best shot-blockers in the league over the past few seasons. Turner would bring a much-needed defensive presence to the Lakers’ frontcourt, and his ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting would make him a valuable asset in any lineup. As great as Turner is as a big man, he will have to be the third-best center in the market in favor of an All-Star guard of Paul or LaVine’s caliber.
Chris Paul has to be the second choice because while he is an excellent floor general and shooter, he will never be healthy enough to be a reliable option as the third option. At 38 years old and counting, Paul can be a coach on the floor but he might never be trusted to keep healthy again. That means the best option has to be going for Zach LaVine, a 28-year-old scorer in his prime who is only getting better with age. A trio of James, Davis, and LaVine would be difficult to control especially when Jarred Vanderbilt is in the lineup providing defense.
