Subscribe
Follow Us
The Los Angeles Lakers have clearly established themselves as one of the best teams in the NBA. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way for the foreseeable future, Purple and Gold fans are potentially looking at multiple titles.
However, with the future of the 2019-20 season uncertain, the Lakers might just lose one of their best chances to reclaim their long lost glory. The team had the best record in the Western Conference before the season was suspended due to COVID-19, boasting a 49-14 win-loss tally, which was also the second-best record in the whole NBA.
If the season does get canceled, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka might have to make another blockbuster move to ensure the continuity of the franchise. Last summer, he traded for Davis, giving LeBron the superstar teammate he needed to compete for a title.
Now, Pelinka could potentially acquire one more star to form a new Big 3 and catapult the Lakers to be THE “team to beat” not only in the West, but also in the entire NBA.
Washington Wizards superstar shooting guard Bradley Beal has said multiple times he wants to spend his entire career with the Capital City franchise. Washington will be getting All-Star point guard John Wall back whenever the 2020-21 season starts, so the team may not be interested in trading Beal anytime soon.
However, this is where Pelinka needs to be the aggressor and do whatever it takes to get Beal on the Lakers.
Article Continues Below
The Lakeshow would be smart to not only inquire about Beal, but they should also offer what's left of the house for the sharpshooter. Whatever draft picks and players the Wizards want for Beal, the Lakers should say yes since Washington isn’t going to ask for LeBron or Davis. The D.C. team already knows what Pelinka will say when that subject is brought up.
However, the same can be said about Beal. Washington general manager Tommy Sheppard could reject every Beal trade offer he gets this offseason. That's why it's imperative for Pelinka and the Lakers to be the first ones to call and offer a grand package for Bradley.
Beal was averaging 30.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists for the Wizards in 2019-20. The Lakers would have one of the deadliest — if not the deadliest — Big 3s in the NBA with LeBron, Davis, and Beal. The looks Beal would get from beyond the arc would be shots he has never seen before since LeBron and Davis command so much attention when they have the ball in the post.
Having a sniper such as Bradley Beal roaming around the arc and getting open through back screens while LeBron and Davis are operating almost seems unfair, but that's not the Lakers' fault should Pelinka pull off a trade for Beal.
Of course, this raises questions about the team's depth on the bench, especially since the Lakers are likely to trade Kyle Kuzma and other role players in any package for Beal. However, it might not be too hard for the team to attract players to come to L.A. on cheap deals with the promise of a glittering ring and a shiny Larry O'Brien trophy.
