The Los Angeles Lakers pretty much made a roster overhaul this past summer as they look to reclaim the NBA championship. Undoubtedly their biggest move is acquiring 2016-17 NBA MVP and 9-time All-Star Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards in exchange for three rotational mainstays Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Doing so, however, also forced fan-favorite Alex Caruso's departure, as he signed a well-deserved deal with the Chicago Bulls.
With Westbrook coming aboard to form a Big Three with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers rounded out their roster by signing several veteran free agents, including LeBron's buddy Carmelo Anthony, as well as former Lakers Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, and Wayne Ellington. The Lakers also saw some key pieces from their 2020 championship squad in Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo make their respective returns to the Purple and Gold. They also managed to lure in some young talent in Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk to team-friendly deals.
Crazy trades the Lakers must make to reach NBA Finals
With their current roster construction, the Lakers are the favorites to come out of the West to challenge for the 2022 crown. But other Western Conference titans such as the Phoenix Suns, the Golden State Warriors, and the Los Angeles Clippers won't just let them stroll to the championship round.
What's insane is that Los Angeles may not be done. The Lakers could still make a move or two within the season should they want to increase their chances of getting to the Finals. With that said, here are two insane trades the Los Angeles Lakers need to ensure a 2022 Western Conference title and a chance to compete for banner No. 18.
Trade for Christian Wood
A feasible trade target for the Lakers that would give them something close to a Big Four or at least a Big Three-and-a-half would be Christian Wood of the Houston Rockets. Wood's name is far from the value that LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook hold. But it's hard to deny that he is a rising star in this league. Adding the 25-year old into the mix will undoubtedly elevate the Lakers' chances of making the Finals.
The Lakers could ideally make a push for him if the Rockets don't view him as part of their long-term plans. Even though James, Westbrook, and Davis are set to make $120.6 million of their hefty $159.5 million payroll, there is still a way for Los Angeles to take in Wood's $13.7 million this upcoming season.
Wood would be a massive addition and would instantly slot into the starting center role for the Lakers. With Anthony Davis still opting to stick to his power forward role, the UNLV standout would be just the right man to pair with Davis in the middle. Davis and Wood are pretty similar in the way that they are both versatile bigs who could do multiple things on the floor.
Only three players last season averaged 20-plus points, 9-plus rebounds while shooting at least 50 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range. Wood is one of them. In 41 games, he averaged 21.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and shot 51.4 from the field and 37.4 percent from three. The other two? Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and MVP runner-up Joel Embiid.
Now, we're not suggesting Wood is on the level of those two MVP candidates. But those numbers suggest how versatile his game is. He can score with efficiency, space the floor for James, Davis, and Westbrook to operate, and run the floor. On the defensive end, he can protect the rim and get out on the perimeter to guard quicker players.
Wood would undoubtedly be a pipe dream for Laker Nation and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
Trade for Buddy Hield
Another possible target for the Lakers is Sacramento Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield. The 2-guard spot is arguably Los Angeles' biggest weakness right now and the 28-year old would instantly address that issue.
In fact, the Lakers tried to acquire Buddy Buckets this past summer but ultimately went with Russell Westbrook. The Lakers ideally need more shooting to space the floor for LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and Hield was the perfect man for the job. But Westbrook is obviously the more proven star and the Lakers went with that over one of their needs. Nevertheless, while it could prove to be difficult to further take in Hield's $22.4 million salary this season, there could be a way for Rob Pelinka to pull it out.
Adding Hield to the Big Three of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook would give opposing squads nightmares. As pointed out earlier, Hield would be the perfect player to slot on the Lakers and he would undoubtedly thrive playing with two elite playmakers in James and Westbrook.
His job description would be simple: move around screens, catch, and let it fly. Hield is one of the most elite catch-and-shoot snipers in the NBA. Per NBA.com, 45.1 percent of Hield's 3-pointers were of the catch-and-shoot variety and he converted them at a 39.6 percent clip. That should only go higher playing alongside James, Westbrook, and Davis.
Like Christian Wood, Buddy Hield would be a fantasy acquisition for the Lakers this upcoming season. If they can bring in any of these two players in, just book them a spot in the NBA Finals, granted, of course, a clean bill of health.
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