The Los Angeles Lakers completed a trade earlier this week with the Utah Jazz, acquiring point guard Patrick Beverley. Los Angeles parted ways with Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson and it says a lot when some fans are more disappointed to see Johnson involved in the trade. What’s next before the 2022-23 NBA season?
It was not long ago that Horton-Tucker was looked at so highly by the Lakers’ organization that he wasn’t included in trade talks for Toronto Raptors All-Star Kyle Lowry. Now, he is heading to Salt Lake City for Beverley.
There has been a lot of discussion about what this trade means for the purple and gold. Beverley will certainly help the team improve. His skill set is exactly what they need around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The 3-point shooting and tenacious defense that he brings are good, but it is his leadership that the team could benefit the most from. He will not hesitate to get into players and hold them accountable, something that was lacking at times last season.
Beverley’s presence also provides them with an option to replace Russell Westbrook as the starting point guard. If Westbrook is ineffective, at least Darvin Ham knows there is someone else he can turn to.
This could also improve their chances of trading him. Eric Pincus over at Bleacher Report shared an update on the trade market involving Westbrook and the Indiana Pacers who Rob Pelinka is still engaged with the most.
“The Lakers are believed to covet Myles Turner from the Pacers, giving the team additional versatility up front with Anthony Davis, Thomas Bryant and Damian Jones. L.A. executive Rob Pelinka used to represent Buddy Hield and was close to acquiring the high-volume shooter last summer.
Per multiple external sources, Indiana isn’t eager to part with its veteran players without significant compensation. The Lakers might be willing to give up a first first-rounder in a Westbrook swap, but two may be too much for a deal.”
Trade negotiations are a delicate back-and-forth dance. The Pacers know that the Lakers want their players, so holding out for as big of a return as possible makes sense. But, there are other teams with the cap space and pieces to take on Westbrook in the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz.
If either of those teams starts showing an interest in making a deal, Indiana could have to adjust their asking price. One hurdle that the Lakers have to overcome is that they are trying their best to keep their salary cap as clean as possible heading into the 2023 off-season.
They have grand plans of pursuing and signing Kyrie Irving in free agency and won’t be able to do that if they add salary beyond this season. Alas, they should be worrying about maximizing what they have now and that is building a competitive roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
More NBA News & Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers & Indiana Pacers
- Lakers Land 2 Key Pacers Starters In Major Trade Scenario
- This Is When Lakers Expect To Acquire Kyrie Irving
For the latest surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers, check out our NBA news and trade rumors feed.
