Lakers have a discount Myles Turner, who can be a discount Buddy Hield?

Russell Westbrook trade rumors were the only thing surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers during the offseason. Despite all of the constant reports that seemed to spell an end to Westbrook’s LA tenure, the Lakers ultimately did not make a trade to move the former MVP.

Prior to the season, it seemed very likely that the Lakers would trade Westbrook and some sort of draft capital to the Indiana Pacers for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. In fact, the Lakers were reportedly “at the one-yard-line” with that reported deal.

At this point, it is safe to say that ship has sailed and the Lakers might be better for it. The team actually has a discount Myles Turner already on the roster who has blossomed tremendously since Anthony Davis’ injury. Thomas Bryant is averaging 16.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game since Davis injured his foot. He is shooting 52.6% from three in 1.5 attempts per game.

Myles Turner is averaging 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and is shooting 37.9% from three in 3.8 attempts per game. Bryant might not be as prominent of a shot-blocker nor a high-volume shooter, but he is giving the Lakers at least 90% of what Turner would be without having to trade assets.

So if the Lakers already have a discount Myles Turner on the roster in Thomas Bryant, it raises the question: who is the discount Buddy Hield? Nobody on the roster fits that billing but there is a potential trade target that could.

Alec Burks could be a discount Buddy Hield for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers are going to have to peruse the trade market in order to find a discount Buddy Hield and the best candidate for a trade is Alec Burks. The Detroit Pistons are absolutely in a position to sell off assets as the team tanks for Victor Wembanyama and is looking toward the future.

Burks has been a walking bucket for the Pistons this season. The 31-year-old two-guard is playing 22 minutes off the bench and is averaging 14 points per game. In 4.4 threes attempted per game, Burks is shooting 44.7% from beyond the arc. This is not a mirage, either, as he has shot a combined 41.5% from three over the last three years.

A trade asset like this is not going to come totally cheap but he should come cheaper than Hield. It is hard to imagine a scenario in which Burks warrants a first-round pick and instead, the Lakers could try and flip other assets to Detroit.

There are two ways the Lakers can do this. They can either send Patrick Beverley’s expiring with future second-round picks (Burks is under contract for another season). Or, the team could pair up some of its young talent in Lonnie Walker IV and Max Christie with a second-round pick to try and entice the Pistons.

Trading Walker may seem to defeat the point of making a trade but as we have outlined before, the Lakers have several reasons to shop Walker at the deadline. Especially if it is for someone like Burks.

Lakers rumors: Knicks lower asking price for Cam Reddish trade

Cam Reddish has long been in the Los Angeles Lakers rumors mill and a trade seems more likely than ever with the Knicks lowering the asking price.

If the Lakers could somehow trade for Burks without having to sacrifice a first-round pick that would be a massive win. The team would be getting 80-90% of what they would have gotten from Indiana for a fraction of the price.