How This Trade Impacts Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have to do something when it comes to their rotation. While they are holding steady right now on not surrendering multiple picks as compensation to move off of Russell Westbrook, it is something they have to seriously consider.
As things are currently constituted, this isn’t a team that will contend. They will struggle to be competitive as long as Westbrook remains a part of the rotation. If they can flip him for three rotation players, even if it costs them the remaining assets they have, they likely have to pull the trigger.
Mike Conley Jr. has lost a step or two in recent years, but he is a perfect fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis because of his 3-point shooting prowess. He is still a capable playmaker and if a defensive-minded shooting guard joins him in the backcourt, the Lakers would be in business.
Bojan Bogdanovic and Malik Beasley are very good offensive players, which will help take pressure off of James and Davis to carry the load by themselves. Beasley could fill a role similar to what Malik Monk played last season. Bogdanovic can step into the Carmelo Anthony role, but with a much higher ceiling.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook Could Be Out Of NBA After Los Angeles Lakers?
It felt inevitable that Talen Horton-Tucker would be on the move as he was the new Kyle Kuzma. He signed a contract as a free agent in 2021 mostly to be used as a trade chip. It seems like a steep price to pay, including him with two first-round picks, but the Lakers are much improved after this transaction.
