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Los Angeles Lakers: Why Bradley Beal might end up being second star

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after hitting the game tying shot in regulation against the Toronto Raptors at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2019 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 - JANUARY 13: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after hitting the game tying shot in regulation against the Toronto Raptors at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2019 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) /
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(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. The Los Angeles Lakers might have the urgency to make a deal happen now

By now, we mean before the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline. If you look at the landscape of the Los Angeles Lakers roster and the team’s window of contention, it becomes clear that this upcoming trade deadline might be the only time that the team can strike.

First of all, the team signed several one-year contracts last offseason that was meant to fill out the roster, keep the cap space for next season and give the Lakers potential trade chips to match the salary of a star.

The Lakers need a contract like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to pair alongside one of the young core pieces in order to even make a deal possible.

Since they are all expiring after this year, the Lakers would have to sign another crop of one-year deals next offseason and wait until Dec. 15 yet again in order to move those contracts. By that time, the Pelicans could have found another trade partner for Davis and there might not be any options.

And with Paul George’s decision to not play with LeBron in mind, I would not bank on a free agent coming to LA.

That could force the team to act now which makes Beal the most likely candidate. The Pelicans might not be willing to move Davis yet as the team can offer him the super-max extension after this year. If he denies that then the team would likely be willing to move him, which is too late for LA.

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