LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking rumored trade targets by impact

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: John Wall #2 and Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards talk on the floor in the first half against the Toronto Raptors during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: John Wall #2 and Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards talk on the floor in the first half against the Toronto Raptors during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Bradley Beal

Yesterday we wrote an article about why trading for Bradley Beal would be so smart. This stemmed from a social media rumor that the Los Angeles Lakers offered Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Luol Deng in exchange for Beal.

And while that rumor does not yet hold any validity, the idea of that trade package is very intriguing. If the Los Angeles Lakers can pull that package off it would be a stellar move by the front office.

Beal is good enough to serve as a second superstar alongside LeBron James but not good enough to warrant an insane trade package, like John Wall. Thus, the package of Ingram, Hart, Deng and two first-round picks (one of which being lottery protected) is more than enough for Beal’s services.

Not only is Beal a great fit alongside James, as he does not need to play on-ball but is an elite scorer from the field, he is a great fit for the future of the Lakers. Trading Deng for Beal would give the Lakers nearly $30 million in cap space next summer, which should be enough to bring another star into the fold.

Beal would thrive alongside two distributors in Lonzo Ball and LeBron James and would serve as the Lakers’ version of Klay Thompson. A starting five of Ball, Beal, James, Kuzma and McGee (Hopefully not McGee) is pretty talented and enough to make the Lakers at least the second-best team in the West.

However, the year following, they would be set up nicely to be the best.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers