Dallas Mavericks Receive: G Patrick Beverley, G Kendrick Nunn, 2027 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAL) 

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr. 

On the other hand, not everyone will agree on the value of the future. 

For a team like the Lakers, it’s a particular source of debate. Should this team go all-in on the present, or preserve something for later? 

The former case is obvious. This team has LeBron James on it, and he’s still performing like LeBron James. Nothing else matters. The Lakers need to make a push for the NBA title. 

On the other hand, their collection of future assets is already sparse. James is 38. The picks that many fans would have the Lakers trade could be integral to their situation in a few years. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tim Hardaway Jr, Dallas Mavericks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

As for the Mavericks, they need to do what they can to add assets as they build around Luka Doncic. In this instance, Tim Hardaway Jr’s contract goes from being a liability to netting a return.

Does sending out a swap split the difference?