Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Spencer Dinwiddie, G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., 2024 First-Round Pick (DAL), 2026 First-Round Pick (DAL), 2028 First-Round Pick (DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F/C Anthony Davis
This trade sees the Los Angeles Lakers functioning like a rebuilding team. Given that they only won 33 games last year, that may not be such a bad course of action.
Of course, they’re no traditional 33-win team. We’ve already named all the superstars that were on the roster as they posted that unfathomable record. Caveats abound here. It was obvious to anyone with a pulse that James and Westbrook may struggle to play together.
Anthony Davis having a career-worst season from three-point range (when he was even available) didn’t help either.
Still, desperate times do call for desperate measures. This trade sees the Lakers land three first-rounders in exchange for Davis. It gives them options. They could use those picks in tandem with Westbrook’s contract to trade for a bonafide star.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Executive Sees Mavericks, Heat, Suns As Lakers’ Anthony Davis Trade Suitors
Alternatively, they’re landing two veterans that complement Russell Westbrook here. They could give him another chance.
Hardaway Jr. is exactly the type of floor-spacer Westbrook thrives alongside. Dinwiddie is a less reliable three-point shooter, but he could function as a high-end sixth man. Unless, of course, the Lakers would rather start him, and use Russ as the highest-paid sixth man in the history of the game.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Knicks-Mavericks Trade Features Julius Randle To Dallas
Either way, there are benefits and risks for both sides here. If Davis can’t regain his form from three-point range (or more importantly still, stay healthy) the Mavericks could be giving up a lot of value for very little here. By bringing a third team into the fold, these two sides may be able to come to a better arrangement.
