Why the Los Angeles Lakers could say yes to this trade:
Everything that we have heard about the Los Angeles Lakers this season is that the team does not want to trade future draft picks unless they think the team will be a true contender afterward. The team didn’t want to do it for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner and while this trade package is probably better, it is not miles better.
If the Lakers stand true to that line of thinking then this trade probably does not happen. However, we cannot rule out the team shifting course simply because of the influence that LeBron James has. It would not be the first time the story changed around the Lakers at the 11th hour.
Remember when the team was going to trade for Buddy Hield before it quickly changed to a Russell Westbrook trade because of LeBron pushing for Westbrook?
The Pacers trade is essentially dead as Indiana could be buyers instead of sellers at the deadline. That leaves the Lakers to pivot and make another deal and this would be a good one. In this trade, the Lakers would be getting one of the best scoring role players in the league (Bogdanovic), one of the best three-point shooters in the league (Burks, who is shooting 44.4% from three) and a quality backup big man (Noel).
This also goes in line with other reporting around the Lakers that the team wants to make a move that can make them better for several years, not just one. All of these players are under contract past the 2022-23 season.
Sure, it takes away the team’s ability to spend a lot in free agency next offseason but they would be adding three quality depth pieces that they probably could not afford to afford in free agency anyway.
Personally, I would probably just hold onto the picks for something bigger down the line. But if LeBron is pounding down Rob Pelinka’s door and a trade has to be made then this isn’t a bad one.