We are getting to the point in the NBA season where contending teams are going to start acquiring pieces in order to solidify their run at the NBA Championship. While the trade deadline is still months away, newly-signed players can officially be traded on December 15, making it an important date.
Unfortunately for the Los Angeles Lakers, they are not going to be able to be as active in the market as other contending teams. The purple and gold are really restricted financially because of the Russell Westbrook trade and do not have many contracts, nor assets, to offer.
There is the possibility of the team jumping into the Indiana Pacers fire sale and trading for someone like Jeremy Lamb, but it is far from a guarantee. If the Lakers want to land a true difference-maker then they will have to trade Talen Horton-Tucker. There are possible trade packages for THT, but the Lakers might be content simply keeping him and his potential.
There are other trades that the Los Angeles Lakers should be worried about.
The Lakers are already off to a bit of a slow start that has put them behind the curve in the Western Confernce. And while the Lakers cannot improve much with a trade, their contending chances can certainly get worse if other teams make an aggressive move.
Here are two possible Western Conference trades that very well could happen this season that the Lakers should pray don’t actually happen.
Myles Turner to the Golden State Warriors
We already briefly mentioned the fire sale that the Indiana Pacers are having this season and how the Lakers could get an asset for that sale. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Lamb is not one of the main assets available on the Indiana Pacers and a team like the Golden State Warriors could easily make a deal happen.
Shams Charania and Bob Kravitz of The Athletic reported that the Pacers were open to trading the likes of Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis and Caris LeVert this season. With Turner saying that he is not valued more than a glorified role player, it is clear that this relationship will end at some point.
The Warriors could really use a big like Turner and Turner could really thrive in Golden State. He obviously would contend for a championship, which is a plus, but this is so much more than simply joining a contending team. The Warriors have gotten the most out of just about every player that walks through those halls and Turner would be no different.
Turner gives the Warriors much-needed size and rim protection while also being someone who can help with the floor spacing as he has added a three-point shot to his repitiore. He is exactly the kind of big that the Warriors need and he can easily be traded for.
The trade is easy to put together. James Wiseman and Kevon Looney for Turner. The Pacers would get the second overall pick from the 2020 NBA Draft for Turner, who the Warriors would add to be an instant-impact player over Wiseman.
Wiseman has a lot of potential but Stephen Curry is only getting older and you can’t blame Golden State for wanting to capitalize on this title window. Not only is this a great fit but it takes away any potential matchup advantage that the Los Angeles Lakers have over the Warriors.
Ben Simmons to the Portland Trail Blazers
This is a trade that makes so much sense on paper and it is shocking that it has not happened yet. Perhaps the only reason why it has not happened yet is that Portland was not desperate to make a move. With internal turmoil, the Blazers should be open to making a move.
The trade here is simple. Swap CJ McCollum and Ben Simmons, and add whatever draft capital the two teams need to work out, to make it happen. This is a trade that equally benefits both sides and gives Portland a new identity that could put them over the hump in a year where Damian Lillard absolutely could get hot and carry them to the NBA Finals.
Simmons is getting a bad rep because of the playoffs last season and how he is handling this situation. While I get that, Simmons is still one of the five best defenders in the league while also being one of the most gifted passers in the league.
Simmons is a great player. He has a big hole in his game but that hole can be disguised with Damian Lillard. He does not need to help the floor spacing as much with Lillard at point. The fit is much better than with Joel Embiid.
All Portland has to do is look slightly south for a winning formula. This is their version of Curry and Draymond Green, and quite frankly, it might be better with Simmons’ ceiling. Meanwhile, the 76ers would get the floor spacing they are looking for in McCollum. Sure, he is not a superstar, but the 76ers are not going to get a superstar for Simmons. A fellow all-star that fits in the scheme is a great get.
Portland is currently battling alongside the Lakers at the bottom half of the playoff picture and quite frankly, if Simmons plays to his potential I like what Portland has much more than what the Lakers have.