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Los Angeles Lakers: Trading for Kyle Korver isn’t a bad idea

By Jason Reed

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 29: LeBron James #23 and Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate while playing the Indiana Pacers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 29, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 105-101 to win there series. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 29: LeBron James #23 and Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate while playing the Indiana Pacers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 29, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 105-101 to win there series. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the worst teams at shooting the three this season and could use a boost from a three-point specialist like Kyle Korver.

There is no reason to panic about the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 2-5 start as the team is still gelling together and has not had the easiest seven-game stretch.

However, it is also ignorant to completely ignore what we have seen out of the Lakers in seven games and the fact that the team has come up short in every close game. Across an 82-game season that is bound to even out. The Lakers have still shown some noticeable holes.

One of the holes is an area where many people expected the team to struggle: three-point shooting. While I always stood by the Lakers and thought that argument was a reach, the Lakers simply have not been good from beyond the arc thus far.

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Los Angeles is shooting 33 percent from beyond the arc, the 23rd-best in the NBA. There are some notable teams behind the Lakers, such as the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, so it is evident that it is not time to panic.

Los Angeles will naturally improve the shooting metrics from beyond the arc as the team starts to heat up. LeBron James is shooting just 24.4 percent; that obviously will not stay and is a huge reason why the overall numbers are so bad.

Still, it does not hurt to add a three-point specialist and there is a potential fit in LeBron’s former teammate, Kyle Korver.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly shopping Korver and trying to assess what his value is on the trade block. Cleveland is obviously geared towards the future so the chance of Korver finishing the year in Cleveland are slim to none.

The Los Angeles Lakers are naturally a fit because of the connection to LeBron and the veteran presence that Korver would bring. Contractually, Korver does not have a terrible deal as he is owed $15.06 million over the next two years.

Trading for a non-expiring deal seemingly would not make a ton of sense for the Lakers but adding Korver would not tie the team’s hands. Los Angeles has $41.7 million in practical cap space next summer, meaning that adding Korver’s contract would not take a superstar out of the equation.

A trade for Korver could include two second-round picks, an expiring contract, just as Michael Beasley and a young asset or two. If the Lakers are committed to winning over the next two years, Beasley could be packaged with Ivica Zubac and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk.

Mykhailiuk has an interesting following in LA so there probably would be a few upset fans if he was dealt. However, Korver is practically the advanced version of what Mykhailiuk could be in three to four years.

Trading Zubac and Mykhailiuk would take $3 million off the cap hit, making Korver a $4.5 million cap hit, essentially. That would leave LA with $37.2 million in practical cap space.

And if the Lakers end up regretting this decision next season the team would not be tied down at all. Korver is only guaranteed $3.44 million if he is waived before July 8 of next year. Sure, the Lakers would lose Zubac and Mykhailiuk in the process, but it is a risk worth taking.

Neither guy will likely have a significant role in a contending Lakers team with a second star next season. Thus, you are gambling two young assets with a minor, if any, role for someone that could have a huge role off the bench this season and next.

With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope set to be a free agent next summer, Kyle Korver would be a fantastic piece to bring off the bench behind Josh Hart or even someone like Klay Thompson.

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The Los Angeles Lakers would have to wait until December 15 to make any sort of deal with Beasley or any of the veterans the team signed this winter. Either way, this deal makes sense as it is low-risk, high-reward.

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