How This Trade Impacts Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers front office would do cartwheels if this was a realistic trade for them to make. The ability to add another game-changing player of Damian Lillard’s quality to the roster would solidify them as contenders.
Los Angeles can win as long as LeBron James is healthy, but this roster isn’t built as one normally used around James to succeed. Russell Westbrook’s fit is a big reason for that, and in this scenario, they flip him out for a player that fits well in Lillard.
Joining him is Robert Covington, another perfect fit around James. Covington gives the Lakers another option to play in the frontcourt, as he can be deployed at either forward spot or the center position. His 3-point shooting would also help space the floor offensively for James to attack the rim.
With the focus on winning now, there isn’t much of an emphasis on the future for the Lakers. They cash in their last few assets in Talen Horton-Tucker and first-round picks in 2025 and 2027 to get this deal done.
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That is the definition of going all-in. The Lakers would be left with virtually no draft capital and zero assets left on the roster. If this doesn’t work, they would likely be forced to shop Anthony Davis just to fill out the team.
