Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal

This may not be the ideal trade for the Los Angeles Lakers. If they have their sights set higher, that’s understandable. After all, many onlookers have them flipping Russell Westbrook and draft capital for Kyrie Irving.

Failing that outcome, they’re still linked to more desirable packages than this one. Myles Turner and Buddy Hield would likely move the needle further. So would Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley. Still, this deal feels like a good fallback option.

Poeltl highlights it. He’s emerged as a high-end defensive big who can defend the rim and survive switches when need be. Meanwhile, Doug McDermott is one of the league’s most reliable floor-spacers, and Josh Richardson is a competent 3-and-D wing.

This deal won’t solve all of the Lakers’ problems. It won’t necessarily vault them into unquestioned title contention.

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Still, if LeBron James can maintain his production and Anthony Davis can have a bounce-back year, they could rejoin the ranks of the Western Conference’s elite.

One thing is certain: they’re unlikely to get back there without significant changes.