The Los Angeles Lakers added to the roster on Friday as it was reported that the team would be signing former Laker Dennis Schroder to a one-year contract. The timing of this announcement was strange and it seems to indicate that a Russell Westbrook trade is right around the corner.
Earlier this week it was reported that the Utah Jazz and Lakers were still in talks about a potential consolidation trade that would have involved Westbrook. However, a trade with Utah never seemed very likely.
Instead, the Schroder signing paves the way for different trade possibilities, one of which being with the Indiana Pacers.
Here are 3 reasons why the Lakers will trade Russell Westbrook to the Pacers after signing Dennis Schroder:
1. Other guard trade candidates no longer make sense
Mike Conley was a potential player that the Lakers could have traded for from the Utah Jazz. His contract does not make a lot of sense for LA, but he is definitely someone who the Jazz wanted to send away via trade.
Another point guard that LA could trade for is Terry Rozier. The Hornets were reportedly looped into the trade talks for Donovan Mitchell and there is still potential there for the Lakers to bring Rozier in.
While that is not completely unrealistic, it does not make much sense if Schroder is on the roster. There would be the same issues with the roster with Rozier or Conley as there would be with Westbrook. Sure, LA would get more players in return, but they would just be adding back to the point guard logjam.
And yes, I know Terry Rozier is listed as a two-guard but I don’t think the Lakers are going to want to run a six-foot-one two-guard on a roster that has three point guards even if Westbrook does get traded.
2. Buddy Hield and Myles Turner make even more sense with Dennis Schroder on the Lakers
Buddy Hield and Myles Turner already made a lot of sense for the Los Angeles Lakers. Adding Schroder to the mix only makes these two players make more sense as the team adds to its point guard depth and would be getting a nice two-guard to add alongside it.
The fit for Turner really does not change much with Schroder being in LA. The intrigue of adding Turner has always been his ability to be a stretch four on offense but a traditional rim-protecting big on defense.
That is literally the exact kind of player that the Lakers should be looking to pair next to Anthony Davis in the frontcourt. It is uncanny how well that would work with Davis’s play style on both ends of the court.
As far as Hield goes, it makes so much sense to add him next to a point guard rotation of Schroder and Beverley. Hield could work well next to both guys as he is someone who can create his own shot with Beverley on the floor while also being someone the other team would have to respect from three when Schroder is on the floor to drive and kick.
Nunn might have to be included in the trade as it is hard to see where he fits but Lonnie Walker IV can be the backup two behind Hield. It all fits together nicely.
3. The Lakers signing Dennis Schroder shows a commitment to winning now
The Los Angeles Lakers have been stingy with the draft picks they want to trade. Los Angeles barely seems keen on the idea of trading one pick with it taking a true needle-moving trade to justify the team trading a second first-round pick.
Hield and Turner is the best package that the Lakers can get and while in a vacuum the two players are not worth two first-round picks, the Lakers are also getting Russell Westbrook off the roster, which is an added bonus.
There also is the fact that Hield has another year left on his deal which would take away some of the financial flexibility away from the Lakers next summer. Los Angeles would still have money to spend, though, they just would not be able to spend on a big free agent.
Signing Schroder seems to signal that the front office has finally made its mind up on contending this upcoming season and making the most of the title window that they know is guaranteed. Nothing is guaranteed in the future and the hope is that Rob Pelinka is realizing that.
Why do we think there has been a shift in the mindset? Schroder does not even make that much sense from an Xs and Os standpoint as the roster is currently constructed. That being said, he is undoubtedly the best unrestricted free agent still on the market.
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According to Heavy.com's Sean Deveney, one NBA coach said that Patrick Beverley would likely be interested in staying with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The fact that LA signed the best available, regardless of fit, should reveal their intentions.