2. A lineup that sees three changes in total for the Lakers
- PG: Patrick Beverley
- SG: Buddy Hield
- SF: LeBron James
- PF: Anthony Davis
- C: Myles Turner
There are obviously infinitely different starting lineups that the Los Angeles Lakers can throw out there next season and there could be a lineup where the team trades for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner and does not trade for Patrick Beverley.
That being said, if the Lakers do end up trading Westbrook and however many picks (likely two) it takes to get Hield and Turner then they would probably make another move as well. The point guard position would be empty and the most logical trade to make is a Talen Horton-Tucker for Patrick Beverley swap.
There is even a world in which the Lakers can be patient and watch the Jazz buy Beverley out. At that point, the Lakers would have to be the favorites to sign Pat Bev with him saying that he wants to play with LeBron James.
This starting lineup may not have a third superstar on it is so much more well-rounded than the previous starting lineup. This starting lineup suddenly has a lot of shooting as Buddy Hield is one of the most prominent shooters in the sport and Myles Turner is one of the best bigs that can shoot as well.
Defensively this team can more than hold its own as well. While Hield is a bad defender, the Lakers would have the solid perimeter defender in Patrick Beverley to play off of Anthony Davis. Having Davis next to Turner would only unlock the shot-blocking center even more as the Lakers would have another big that can defend outside the paint in AD.
This is a starting lineup that can absolutely contend for an NBA Championship next season but there is one potential starting lineup that could be even better.