3 non-Russell Westbrook trades to beef up the Lakers roster
By Jason Reed
3. Turning one year into two for a shooter, part two
This is a pretty identical trade to the Fournier deal but without Nunn being involved. The reason for that is Doug McDermott‘s salary does not require the extra money that would come with Nunn as it is nearly identical to Patrick Beverley’s.
That actually makes this trade more likely for Los Angeles as McDermott’s cap hit next season would not be as high as Fournier’s. It is only a $5 million difference but as we have seen, that seems to matter for the Lakers.
The logic for the San Antonio Spurs is pretty much the same as well. McDermott is under contract for another season and the team really does not have much of a use for him as a young team. They can get off of his contract for next season and take on a veteran point guard that they can either buy out to save more money or try and flip for another second-round pick.
The Lakers would be taking on salary for next season but would be flipping a disappointing Beverley for one of the best three-point shooting wings in the sport. While he has his questions defensively, McDermott is shooting 41.8% on five threes per game.
That is no mirage as he is a career 41% three-point shooter. That is exactly what the Lakers need offensively.
If Los Angeles waits until the deadline and there are no other suitors for McDermott then they can probably pull off this trade without even needing to include a future second-round pick.