Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal 

Of the myriad of trade proposals involving Westbrook on the internet, this may not be the most immediately appealing one to the Lakers. To be sure, a deal focused around Myles Turner and Buddy Hield, or Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley would help them improve more in 2022-23. 

On the other hand, there’s a catch with those deals. The Lakers will undoubtedly have to move two first-round picks to orchestrate them. By taking on the unwanted contacts of players who fit alongside James, they avoid that route. 

Perhaps they could use those picks to make another deal down the line. In the meantime, this deal should make them better next season. We already told you what Bertans and Hardaway Jr. bring to the table, but Bullock, as a 3-and-D wing, maybe the best fit here. 

Realistically, these Lakers aren’t going very far without improved health and production from Anthony Davis anyway. If he can return to his peak form, the Lakers will have two players who have a case among the league’s top 5 players. 

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In that event, it shouldn’t take more than a few knockdown shooters to optimize either.