The Brooklyn Nets big three have the ability to be one of the most talented big threes ever assembled. While the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers have a man who many consider to be the greatest to ever lace ‘em up, it would be nice if LeBron James and Anthony Davis had one more star to match the firepower Brooklyn now possesses.
Here are 3 trade targets to assemble the next LA big three.
3. Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine has literally been on a tear recently. He is averaging 28.3 PPG and is one of the best players in the Eastern Conference this season.
Zach LaVine’s last 6 games:
35 PTS – 7 REB – 6 AST
45 PTS – 7 REB – 7 AST
38 PTS – 5 REB – 6 AST
32 PTS – 7 REB – 3 AST
18 PTS – 4 REB – 9 AST
39 PTS – 6 REB – 5 AST pic.twitter.com/qaLqWm9eLY— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 16, 2021
LaVine’s scoring output has been the only shining light for the Chicago Bulls, who are entering a very concerning run for the future. Even if the young Bulls players such as Lauri Markkanen blossom, the Bulls won’t be competing for a title anytime soon.
Grabbing the young talent from the Lakers would put the Bulls in the position to build for the future.
For the Lakers, Zach LaVine puts them over the top as the favorites in the West for the NBA Finals and guarantees equal footing with Brooklyn’s trio of stars.
The Lakers would have to deal Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker – perfect fits for the Bulls rebuild process– along with two future draft picks. Both players have bright futures and can be players that can grow around Lauri Markkanen and Coby White.
2. CJ McCollum
Portland has high hopes and aspirations every year. They play well in the regular season, garner hype, and then fizzle out in the playoffs. They struggle in the playoffs because they are an undersized backcourt with one defensive liability and another undersized defender.
In the playoffs, they can’t play fast so their deficiencies are often caricatured. We see it every year, and it will not change until the beloved backcourt is broken up. Lillard is their star and is definitely off the table. CJ McCollum, on the other hand, is more realistic.
McCollum is on a cheaper contract– meaning the Lakers wouldn’t have to give up their entire bank for him.
While Dennis Schroder has been a reliable scorer for the purple and gold, he hasn’t been the facilitator they expected him to be. McCollum can score it and pass the ball, and with the Lakers, he would be able to defend his natural position.
29.3 points per game
5.5 assists per game
50% from the field@CJMcCollum's amazing play continues 🙌@Carmax | Player of the Week pic.twitter.com/zucbFHyLV3— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 15, 2021
With Brooklyn forming the offensive monster they have, the Lakers would need McCollum to be the third-best player and possibly the second-leading scorer on the squad to allow LeBron to dominate the game with his playmaking.
The Lakers would have to deal Alex Caruso, Kenvatious Caldwell-Pope, Markieff Morris, and future picks to make this happen.
1. Bradley Beal
The Wizards are bad, and Beal is good. That’s been the tale of the Wizards for a while now, and this season seems to be the year that tale comes to a head.
Right now he is leading the league in scoring at 34.9 points per game lead the league. If this keeps up, he’d be the 11th player in NBA history to eclipse the 30-point mark two seasons in a row.
In short, Beal’s value is clear. Washington’s offensive rating plummets from 117.8 with Beal to 101.3 points per possession when he sits. And somehow things get even worse when Russell Westbrook is in the game and Beal isn’t. The Wizards have an atrocious defense for the third-straight season and, according to FiveThirtyEight, currently sit with just an 11% shot at making the playoffs.
The Lakers would have to clear their bank to acquire Beal but it is definitely worth it. Beal is a gifted shooter who can play in the pick and roll, create his own shot, facilitate, and defend on the ball.
What Beal does on the basketball court is worthy of being a perennial championship contender, but instead he is in Washington fighting to be in the race for the eighth seed.
Bradley Beal is unreal.
Last five games:
34 PTS | 8 REB | 9 AST
41 PTS | 3 REB | 3 AST
60 PTS | 7 REB | 5 AST
27 PTS | 10 REB | 5 AST
31 PTS | 3 REB | 7 AST pic.twitter.com/ERe72NbTM1— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 12, 2021
That skill with LeBron James and Anthony Davis would put the Lakers in an almost unbeatable realm. But it would not come lightly.
Rob Pelinka would likely have to trade away Alex Caruso, Kenvatious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, complete a sign-and-trade with Montrezl Harrell if he agrees to opt-out of the second year of his contract, and give away however many future picks they are able to deal. A deal for Beal would break the bank, but would also break the basketball world.
It is worth it, and if Washington struggles continue to persist at the level they exist, the deal can very well happen.
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