Kyrie Irving was traded to the Mavericks, which was disappointing for the Lakers. No matter what happens now, their front office has four days to look for less controversial ways to improve the team.
Here are some things the Los Angeles Lakers could do
1. Bojan Bogdanovic (Pistons)
- Lakers get: Bojan Bogdanovic
- Pistons get: Lonnie Walker IV and Patrick Beverley
The Pistons say they don’t want to trade Bojan until they get a pick that isn’t protected. It’s a high price, but it’s fair. The Lakers could give it to Bogdanovic in exchange for Beverley and Walker IV’s contracts that are about to end.
Bogdanovic fits right in with the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers. He is 6’7″, 226 pounds, averages 21.4 points per game, and shoots 41.9% from deep. He is a better defender than casual fans might think.
2. Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. (Raptors)
- Lakers get: Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr.
- Pistons get: Russell Westbrook
In this deal, the Raptors would likely want two unprotected draft picks, Austin Reaves and/or Max Christie.
But if the Lakers can add some protections to one of the picks, getting VanVleet and Trent Jr. in return could make a big difference.
Both shoot in the mid to high 30s from three-point range and score about 18 points per game on average. If either or both decide to leave, the Lakers might have to pay more than the cap to keep them.
3. Malik Beasley, Mike Conley Jr. (Jazz)
- Lakers get: Malik Beasley, Mike Conley Jr.
- Jazz get: Russell Westbrook
Westbrook should leave the Lakers. LeBron’s public support for a Kyrie trade that would have included Russ is a way of saying that he thinks the Westbrook trade was a mistake.
The Jazz want to switch to tank mode and get rid of some good role players. Los Angeles could trade Russ and the 2029 pick for Malik Beasley and Mike Conley Jr.
Beasley and Conley Jr. have both made 38% of their three-point shots in their careers. Beasley is 26 years old, and the team has a $16.5 million option for 2023-2024. Conley Jr., who is 35, has 9.2 assists for every 36 minutes and only 2.1 turnovers.
There have been “exploratory” talks about this deal between the Jazz and the Lakers, so don’t be surprised if it goes through.
4. Zach LaVine (Bulls)
- Lakers get: Zach LaVine
- Bulls get: Russell Westbrook
If the Lakers want to add a third star, LaVine might be the best choice. This season, the Bulls star is averaging 23.6 points per game and has made 38.5% of his three-point shots over his career. On the wing, he would give the Lakers more space and energy.
The Lakers could send Westbrook’s $47.1 million contract, an unprotected first-round pick in 2029, and maybe a protected top-8 pick in 2027. The Bulls could throw in Goran Dragic and Javonte Green, whose contracts are about to end, to make the money work.
