The Los Angeles Lakers have an 11-9 record after 20 games in the 2018-19 season, the first of four seasons with prized free agent acquisition LeBron James on the team. It’s painfully clear to everyone that for the team to reach its lofty aspirations, James needs the help of another All-Star alongside him.
The much ballyhooed addition of the four-time Most Valuable Player was met with much excitement, but the mediocre start to the season has tempered expectations. Brandon Ingram was expected to be James’ second-in-command coming into this season, but his slow start has shown that the third-year forward isn’t quite ready yet for the responsibility.
Enter: Bradley Beal.
The Proposed Trade
Putting together a package for Beal would cost the Lakers, but not so much that it would compromise the team’s chances at postseason success. Many teams would be hesitant to give up young assets in exchange for a veteran All-Star for fear of missing out on the potential benefits that come with the growth of a future star. But there are players who you can risk the future in exchange for the chance to win now. For the Lakers, Beal is that type of player.
In exchange for an All-Star, president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka will have to give up a couple of their key young players. Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram are likely the players that Washington would be interested in. But the Lakers would be hesitant to let go of Kuzma, so the only players that the Wizards could pry from them would be Ball and Ingram. To make the trade work with the Wizards, the two players’ salaries are necessary components.
To make up the difference between Beal’s $25.4 million contract and Ball and Ingram’s combined $13.2 million contract, the player that should go with them to Washington is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who has a one-year, $12 million contract.
The Players
Lonzo Ball
The Wizards are probably going to trade incumbent point guard John Wall eventually, so Ball’s arrival will be that much more welcome. This season, Ball has had moments when he’s been aggressive as an offensive coordinator and scorer. When he’s in that mode, the comparisons to Jason Kidd are surprisingly appropriate. In fact, his outside shooting is more advanced at this stage in his career than Kidd was in his sophomore season. There was a time when Kidd was infamously nicknamed “Ason Kidd” because he had no “J.”
The only thing that appears to be holding him back from reaching his potential is the presence of an otherworldly talent like James. With the 14-time All-Star around, Ball is hesitant at times to call the shots and make decisions for the team even though he’s on the floor during crunch time. Going to the Wizards would give him the freedom he needs and the chance to showcase the full extent of his abilities. Given the keys to the offense, he could blossom into an All-Star as soon as next season.
Brandon Ingram
Ingram is the Lakers’ third-leading scorer at 15.8 points per game shooting 46.5 percent from the field. He has the skills and the talent to be a future All-Star, but his growth is being stunted by Kuzma, who plays the same position that he does. At the same time, there are moments when he looks lost in the Lakers' offense and he doesn’t complement James as well as he should.
The comparisons to Durant don’t help him either. At this point, the only thing that is comparable between the two is their body type. Their mentality and approach to the game are vastly different and Ingram will benefit from being allowed to grow on his own with less expectations on his shoulders.
A change of scenery should benefit him by playing for a team that doesn’t expect him to be a superstar right away.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Pope was a consistent double-digit scorer during his time with the Pistons and his first year with the Lakers last season. This year, however, his massive contract may have played a part in his shooting woes as he has been trying too hard to live up to the expectations that come along with it. After his early season struggles, Pope put together a string of six consecutive games in which he played like the Pope of old. He is still a valuable player off the bench as someone who can knock down the three and play good defense.
Bradley Beal
During an episode of ESPN’s The Jump hosted by Rachel Nichols, Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady suggested that Beal would look great in a Lakers uniform. He sure would! Perhaps more than most star players in the league, Beal is the perfect fit for James’ style of play. Not only is Beal a scorer, he’s also a shooter and James loves having shooters around him.
In fact, Beal may actually benefit playing with James as well. The opportunities for the All-Star guard to score with a player who loves to dish the basketball to the open man are going to plentiful. He can also be counted on to create shots for himself. Whenever James is on the bench, Beal has shown in Washington that he can take charge of a team even if he’s playing with the second-stringers.
When they’re on the floor together, Beal will open the middle for James’ drives. It would be difficult to double team the 6-foot-8 forward knowing that he has a teammate capable of knocking down the open shot. Beal’s game would develop nicely playing with a veteran with the extensive experience in big game situations like James. He should reach his true potential with a team that has a chance to make some noise in the playoffs.
The Wizards’ future vs. the Lakers’ future
The Wizards are likely going to rebuild if they trade away Wall and Beal this season. Ball and Ingram could be two of the key players in their future. If they can find a taker for Otto Porter Jr.’s humongous contract, they have a chance to land one of the star free agents this summer.
For the Lakers, their postseason outlook would be much improved. At present, they are projected for an early playoff exit. With Beal on the team, their ceiling could be the Western Conference Finals. James alone guarantees at least a first round win. The second round and the conference finals are a long shot and that’s where Beal comes in. He gives James another consistent scorer who will take the pressure off of him, something that was lacking during his final season with the Cavs.
The Lakers are in need of an injection of firepower with a trade that will increase their chances of lasting longer in the postseason. James will only be a Laker for four years. The franchise has to give its best effort every season to surround him with the best talent possible.
Beal is just the beginning but he is a step in the right direction.
Follow Us
Subscribe