Now that Kyrie Irving is reportedly off the table for the Lakers, Jovan Buha of The Athletic breaks down the team’s other potential options for dealing Russell Westbrook.
As Buha writes, a trade with the Pacers for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield makes sense for the Lakers, but they’d likely have to include both their 2027 and 2029 first-rounders to make that happen, which hasn’t transpired to this point. Buha wonders if Indiana would be interested in the move if the Lakers put protections on the ’29 pick or perhaps include a pick swap instead.
Turner and Hield would instantly become the Lakers’ “third- and fourth-best players on the roster, upgrading the starting lineup, depth and collective shooting,” Buha states, adding that Turner would complement Anthony Davis in the frontcourt due to his defensive versatility and ability to space the floor (.349 career 3PT%).
The Lakers could also get involved as a third team in a potential Donovan Mitchell trade, or target Jazz veterans like Bojan Bogdanovic, Patrick Beverley, Jordan Clarkson and Jarred Vanderbilt, Buha notes.
Here’s more from the Pacific:
- Within the same piece, Buha says the Lakers aren’t interested in a potential reunion with Knicks forward Julius Randle, whom L.A. drafted No. 7 overall in 2014, due to his long-term contract and “less-than-ideal fit” with Davis and LeBron James. According to Buha, New York, Charlotte and San Antonio are all unlikely trade partners for Westbrook for various reasons, even though the three teams theoretically make some sense.
- With Kevin Durant said to be sticking with the Nets, at least for now, a trio of Suns players whose names were floated in trade talks for the star have a big opportunity entering 2022/23, per Greg Moore of The Arizona Republic. Moore thinks Mikal Bridges likely won’t be affected by the rumors, but wonders if Cameron Johnson and Deandre Ayton should have bigger offensive roles next season to improve the team’s versatility as Phoenix looks to win its first championship.
- Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area details why Warriors star Stephen Curry, the reigning Finals MVP, is underpaid despite having the largest salary in the league in ’22/23 ($48.1MM). Golden State’s franchise valuation has increased a little more than 12-fold over the past 12 years ($450MM to $5.6 billion), the team is immensely popular both locally and nationally, and the Warriors have won the championship four times in the past eight years largely due to Curry’s impact, making him worth more than double his current contract, according to Poole.
Not sure about Curry being worth double but $60-70 million seems about right.
I don’t know.. Curry is the Warriors. As a young fan growing up I’d never believe the Warriors would be remotely like this. Just even thankful to be over .500. Steph turned a failing franchise into a dynasty.
Obviously management plays a large role too, but Steph is the product. The warriors will never be the same without him when he retires. They’ll have that legacy tied with them, but they’ll always chasing that memory.. similar to the Bulls.
Imagine being an NBA old timer reading that someone is underpaid at $48 million. Needless to say Steph Curry is a humble guy and gets enough love (and money) as is he doesn’t need Monte Poole of NBC fluffing him up. I guess that is what they’re known for in the Bay Area.
Makes no sense for pacers.
Pacers only doing that trade for both unprotected firsts, every reporter tries to make the trades a little more palatable for the lakers but if those trades would work they would already be done, Lakers and Knicks have the most delusional beat reporters
Are the Pacers, or anyone else for that matter, really interested in Lakers 1st rounders in 2027 and 2029? That’s five and seven years from now. imo, the picks are too far in the future to know if they’re worth anything at all.
I can’t imagine a team thinking, ‘let’s make this deal, we’ll be sitting pretty in seven years!!!’. Unless you’re sending the Lakers next to nothing to get the picks plus Westbrook or something, their picks are not worth much more than a scratch off lottery ticket.
I’d argue they’re about the most valuable picks you could have aside from Sacramento’s. The Lakers are trading those picks to build a team around a guy you know won’t be playing in LA when the picks convey. On top of that, Pacers have everything to gain. All the money off the books before Haliburton is due for an extension plus draft capital for guys who aren’t in your future plan anyway. Works for Russ too. He can average a triple double in Indiana and get his pride back
I’ll like to actually see the Indiana Pacers keep Myles Turner. He’s only 26 years old and can stick around for the fast rebuild. I think him and Jalen Smith can form a very good front court tandem.
Buddy Hield is extremely durable and a top 10 shooter in the NBA. It’s just he leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end.
I want Russell Westbrook gone but I don’t want to trade him and two first round picks for two role players.
Anthony Davis is a Power Forward and that’s the position he wants to play so going after Julius Randle just don’t make sense to me.
Now that Kyrie Irving is staying with the Brooklyn Nets I think it’s probably best that the Los Angeles Lakers keep Russell Westbrook on the expiring deal and try to make it work.
Their best move might be just trading Talen Horton-Tucker to the San Antonio Spurs or Utah Jazz for Josh Richardson or Patrick Beverley.
You got your wish.
Deandre Ayton should be the second option on the Phoenix Suns after Devin Booker. He’s a number 1 pick and should be getting more plays ran for him. I honestly think he should be averaging 24 points 12 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. Chris Paul and Devin Booker need to look for him early and often in the offense.
@Champ… Well said man! Only way PHO can ever hope to win is by using more & better Ayton!
Otherwise they are wasting a #1 pick as a role player… Ayton is too good for that!
Lol
I repeat and repeat
The best trade idea from the reporters
Lakers offer Westbrook to acquire the 25 years old Mitchell thru the 3rd team
We repeat we repeat you have no idea what you’re talking about. Westbrook can’t land Mitchell.
Like I stated in the Jazz thread trade rumors lagging lakers got Patrick Beverly for THT
Poor lakers and LeBron. LeBron got his $50 mil so he really doesn’t care.
Did you miss the part where LeBron is already a Billionaire???? This guy is gonna make more than that off the court this year. LeBron is only interested in Championships and getting a shot at playing with Bronny.
Breaking news Pat Bev to the Lakers for THT and Stanley Johnson
I am not convinced that the Lakers got better tonight. Patrick Beverley’s defensive prowess is a thing of the past. He doesn’t shoot well. Gives Lakers another ball-handler. Brings great energy and toughness. Is that really what the Lakers need? Malik Beasley is a far better fit. Just include Scottie Pippen Jr. in the deal and any Larsa issues are solved.
Have to disagree.
Beverly is a career 38% 3 point shooter and last year he had a down year but I’m sure he will come back. As for his defence he will be just as good as usual. His worth ethic and energy is perfect for this team. No one will work harder than he will and that’s what LeBron wants and the young guys should look up too. As for being another ball handler that cap, DLo averaged a career high 7.1 assists, Towns had a bunch of touches and ANT was obviously there too. He still managed 4.5 assists per game getting touches behind these guys. That’s perfect playing behind Bron and AD.
What I’d love to see the Lakers do now is deal Russ for a couple role players, Myles Turner and Buddy Heild would be very solid.
Beverly Heild Bron AD Turner
Nunn Walker JTA Jones Bryant
Good defence in Beverly AD and Turner.
Good outside shooting and spacing which should give Bron and AD more room inside. When these guys are injured or off the floor then have good secondary ball handlers, Beverly can run a offence and Heild can get off his own shot.
this isnt that hard .. trade for pat bev ,sign dennis schroder and pay Westbrook to sit next A.D on the bench in a suit .. keep the picks
Dennis Schroeder is now off the table. That article was just floated to put pressure on Utah to do the Beverley deal. Basically letting Utah know that they can just sign Schroeder and not do the Beverley deal.
Memory seems to remind me that Pay Beverly and Westbrook hate each other. Maybe this is a subtle way to tell Westbrook to curtail his crazy play or be sat for his nemesis. Lakers front office for the win.