The Lakers are fighting for respect in the NBA, but they need to make one trade now. Here’s what they should do
The Lakers have a 1-9 record, and their season is quickly fading into the abyss. With LeBron James in Cleveland, the team needs to make some moves. What trade or player should they focus on?
The “lakers rumors” is a trade that the Lakers need to make right now. The trade would send Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and Ivica Zubac to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and a first-round pick in 2020.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of a roller-coaster season that hasn’t lived up to expectations for the most part. Los Angeles is 7-6 on the season and has been a huge disappointment for Lakers fans thus far. In La La Land, every loss is amplified. However, their dreadful 107-83 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night deservedly drew harsh attention and boos from the Staples Center fans.
The season is still early, and a club that underwent a big roster upheaval during the summer will undoubtedly need some time to gel and create chemistry. However, the manner this Lakers squad was put together raised some concerns during the summer, and the club’s obvious flaws are already showing in the early stages of the season. With that considered, the Lakers’ brass is undoubtedly already regretting going after Russell Westbrook this summer instead of someone like Buddy Hield, who solves many of their current problems. The Westbrook situation is just going to get worse. This is why the Lakers should seriously explore trading him for someone who isn’t necessarily better than the previous league MVP, but who is just a better fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
It will be incredibly tough to find a club willing to take on the remaining $91.2 million of Westbrook’s current contract. Is there even a club ready to sign an aging player who is on the verge of turning 30 and has relied primarily on his athleticism? It’s either an extremely short or non-existent list.
The Lakers should scan the market for a club in urgent need of a talent like Westbrook who can help them achieve their objectives this season. Westbrook’s scoring, playmaking, rebounding, intensity, and enthusiasm continue to have an influence on the game. His presence might be beneficial to a squad in need of a proven and experienced star. Someone like the 9-time All-Star may help a club like the Cleveland Cavaliers or Indiana Pacers.
The Lakers may get Kevin Love, a former teammate of LeBron James, in a deal with the Cavaliers in return for Westbrook. Love definitely understands what he has to do to be successful with James, having won a championship with him. Furthermore, as a career 37 percent shooter from beyond the arc, his ability to spread the floor will aid the Lakers’ shooting troubles.
In terms of the Pacers, the Lakers might pursue big man Myles Turner and send Westbrook to Indy. Turner has been the subject of several trade speculations in recent seasons. For a long time, they’ve been trying to figure out the Turner-Domantas Sabonis frontcourt. Sabonis is most suited to serve as the team’s de facto center on the low block. However, given of his size, the 6-foot-11 center is forced to play the four for the most of his time on the floor. Because the Pacers don’t want to tank but aren’t making progress, they may decide to make a change, and Westbrook, a powerhouse and past MVP, may be the man to lead them.
They get a guy in Turner who will help them with their defensive woes, since Turner is one of the best shot blockers in the league. With a 44.4 percent 3-point shooting percentage this season, he also offers them with floor space.
The Lakers are unlikely to make any changes at this juncture in the season since it is much too early to worry. Nonetheless, they should have the possibility of trading Russell Westbrook in the back of their thoughts.
The “lakers 2021” is a trade the Lakers need to make right now. The Lakers have been struggling this season and they will be in a position where they can either win or lose their first round playoff series against the Warriors.
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