Lakers: Expert Thinks LA Will Make A Trade — If Anthony Davis Recovers Soon https://t.co/Ac0Q2Rp68J
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 11, 2023
“Should the Lakers get good news while breathlessly monitoring each minute step of Anthony Davis’ recovery from a foot injury, the team may still look to swap out Russell Westbrook for better-fitting players around LeBron James. With players like Jakob Poeltl, Doug McDermott and Josh Richardson available, Westbrook’s $47.1 million salary would go a long way toward helping San Antonio increase its payroll (though it will only get credit for the number of days each player is on their roster—not the 3-4 months he earned in Los Angeles). Per an NBA source, any Westbrook deal for the Lakers, league-wide, starts with a first-round pick. If the Lakers also wanted to add a valued player from the Spurs like Poeltl, the cost would be a second first “and then some,” per an Eastern Conference executive.”
As long as AD is on path to coming back soon, Lakers will trade at least Beverley, Nunn, Jones, and one first round pick to give the team a chance to win it all. Team is too good and too close for them not to do that at least. They will be able to keep the 2029 pick. At least, that’s my prediction right now.