Why the Lakers should be jumping at a Julius Randle trade

3. The alternative options are not great for the Los Angeles Lakers

There is only one other trade that would be worth making for the Los Angeles Lakers and that would be a trade for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner. Outside of that, the Lakers’ options are either making mediocre deals that help nobody or keeping Westbook and hoping they can move him at the deadline.

That certainly is possible and the price would be slightly lower but if the Lakers are preparing to trade him in February they might as well do it now and not dig themselves a hole they have to get out of in the competitive Western Conference.

The worst-case scenario is keeping Westbrook all season and having the cap space next summer. While freeing that massive contract might seem like a positive, in reality, the Lakers cannot really do much.

First, LeBron James will be a free agent and if the Lakers front office does not show him a commitment to winning a title this season he could simply leave. If he leaves, Anthony Davis could be behind him.

If LeBron stays the Lakers are not going to have the cap space to bring in another player of Randle’s caliber. With LeBron making close to $50 million and THT’s player option, the Lakers will have the ability to sign 2-3 decent role players and that it is.

3 early in-season buyout targets for the Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers need any help they can get this season and thus, the team should already be preparing for potential buyout targets.

Los Angeles has to take advantage of the cap figure while they have it, especially if they want to keep LeBron James.