The dream starting 5 the Lakers lost after getting ditched by Kyrie Irving

By Jason Reed | Jun 28, 2022

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 10: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2022 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 G Fiume/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

3. The Lakers could have traded THT for KCP

Trading Talen Horton-Tucker for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is something we have explored here at Lake Show Life before and it makes a lot of sense for both parties. The Wizards would flip KCP for a younger player in THT (essentially putting THT in the original Russell Westbrook trade) and the Lakers would get more help from KCP and an expiring contract.

Horton-Tucker does not have much trade value but KCP is not a hot commodity. While he is a valuable three and D player, he did not have the best season in Washington and teams are not going to line up with offers that are much better than just THT.

Granted, this is not the only option for the Lakers. There are several different trades that the Lakers could make that would flip the young player in THT for an older player from a team that wants younger talent.

That being said, KCP might be the best possible return for the Lakers. The team knows that he fits in nicely next to LeBron and AD and in this specific instance, he would be the perfect starting shooting guard for the Lakers.

He is not an elite defender but he is a capable defensive guard who can provide support on the perimeter. On offense, KCP does not need the basketball at all and can simply spot up as an off-ball shooter for LA.

Again, this is something the team could still do and probably should still do.

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