Los Angeles Lakers: Trades that open with a top-four pick
By Jason Reed
If you are a regular here at LA Sports Hub then you have probably read about the idea of trading for Bradley Beal, in numerous different ways. Beal is a perfect trade target as he is a great number two to LeBron James while being on a team that should be interested in trading him.
The Wizards have proven that they cannot reach the NBA Finals with Beal and Wall and with Wall’s extension kicking into play it definitely won’t be the case. However, the team cannot commit to a full rebuild, so the team has to get assets that are going to help right away.
Kyle Kuzma is someone that is going to help space the floor while bringing some much-needed pace to the Wizards. He is also someone that can play off-ball just fine alongside Wall.
The draft pick is also going to help right away. While a rookie won’t come in at their prime, this draft class is loaded and the Wizards could pick up someone seriously talented in the first four.
If you go to the NBA Trade Machine and try this trade it is not going to work as both teams are currently over the cap. However, since the Lakers will be under the cap and stay under the cap during the offseason, they can make this deal happen.
Losing Kuzma might not be ideal but at the same time, this would create a starting five of Lonzo Ball, Beal, Brandon Ingram, LeBron James and whoever the team signs at center. The best part? They would still have enough cap to fill out the depth.