Before the 2019-20 season got suspended due to COVID-19, the Los Angeles Lakers had the top record in the Western Conference standings. Behind the stellar play of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Purple and Gold were an impressive 49-14.
For the first time in YEARS, the Lakers were headed to the playoffs and had a great shot of winning the championship. Fans of the team are still praying that the season can resume in the summer since their club had a fantastic opportunity to win it all.
However, if the 2019-20 season is over, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka needs to make the following three moves even though the team he constructed for this season was amazing.
1. Re-sign Anthony Davis
Davis will become an unrestricted free agent whenever the 2020 free-agency period begins. Pretty much everyone in the league expects AD to re-sign with the Lakers, though.
However, the amount of money Los Angeles will be able to offer Davis will be less now that the NBA have lost and continues to lose millions of dollars due to COVID-19. Pelinka and the Lakers may have to perform some financial gymnastics moving forward.
In his first season with the team, Davis was nothing short of spectacular. The former No. 1 overall pick was putting up a stat line of 26.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 34.3 minutes a night.
2. Address point guard position
LeBron ran point for the Lakers for much of the 2019-20 season, and the results were good. The King led the NBA in assists per game and Los Angeles had one of the best offensive ratings in the league.
However, the Lakers need a pure point guard to run the team, especially when LeBron goes to the bench. One of the reasons Los Angeles was trying to acquire Derrick Rose from the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline was the team had no shot-creator from the perimeter when James was resting.
At this stage of his career, Rajon Rondo isn't getting it done for the Lakers. He was putting up just 7.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 48 games.
The Lakers operate better when Rondo is on the bench. Alex Caruso has shown signs of being a dependable back-up point guard, but Pelinka and Co. would be better suited to take a look at some veteran point guards who are available on the free-agent market.
A guy like Jeff Teague, for example, would make sense since he's a superior shooter and scorer than Rondo. To succeed around Davis and LeBron — two ball-dominant players — you have to be able to space the floor, shoot and be effective without the ball.
3. Trade for Bradley Beal
LeBron will be 36 years old next season. He's got so many miles on his body and, eventually, Father Time will catch up to him (or so we think).
The Lakers would be smart to inquire about Beal and offer the house for the sharpshooter. Whatever draft picks and players the Wizards want for Beal, the Lakers should just say yes. Washington isn't going to ask for LeBron or Davis because they already know what Pelinka will say.
However, the Wizards can get a young stud in Kyle Kuzma, who will be able to see his usage rate increase getting away from LeBron and Davis. Washington would also need whatever future draft picks the Lakers have and salary fillers.
Beal was averaging 30.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Wizards in 2019-20. If the Lakers were able to get him next to LeBron and Davis, it would be lights out for the rest of the NBA.
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