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3 moves the Lakers must make in order to become actual contenders

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball while defended by Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half of the game at Crypto.com Arena on November 28, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball while defended by Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half of the game at Crypto.com Arena on November 28, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Find a way to get something of value out from Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn

Russell Westbrook is not the only guard that the Los Angeles Lakers need to trade in order to realize contender status. If the team is going to reach its ceiling this season then it is also going to have to find a way to get some value out of Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn.

Both Beverley and Nunn have been incredibly disappointing this season as both guys were expected to be welcomed additions to the rotation. Beverley has been one of the worst offensive players in the league and his defense has not made up for that fact.

Nunn, meanwhile, has not been the scorer that he was advertised to be while the holes in his defensive game have been highlighted. Both guards are struggling this season and if the Lakers could spin them into something better that would be a massive win.

Luckily for the Lakers, both Beverley and Nunn have moveable contracts. Both are expiring deals and since they are not minimum contracts, Los Angeles might be able to get something in return. They would just have to find a team that is more concerned with the money attached than the talent of the players involved.

Since both Beverley and Nunn are expiring deals, there could be a tanking team that wants to get off of a two-year deal and will take on two expiring contracts to make that happen. That is the best way for the Lakers to get value out of the two struggling guards.

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