The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the league’s more active teams ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
Rob Pelinka started things off with a bang by acquiring Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards. The move was widely praised, leading to speculation that maybe he would have more tricks up his sleeve.
On Wednesday, Sam Amico of Hoops Wire reported that L.A. was presently having conversations with the Charlotte Hornets regarding a deal centered around Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley.
“The Lakers continue to search for trades centered on guards Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley,” he wrote. “They have been in contact with the Hornets lately, sources said.”
The problem is that it is hard to see a scenario where something between the Lakers and Hornets happens where both teams walk away getting what they want. As noted by Jack Simone of Heavy.com, that is where the Philadelphia 76ers come in.
In that proposed trade Los Angeles would get Tobias Harris, Terry Rozier and Matisse Thybulle; Charlotte would get Westbrook, Jaden Springer, both of L.A.’s remaining first round picks in this decade and two second-rounders; and Philly would get Kelly Oubre Jr., Cody Martin and Beverley.
In the process the Sixers would free up cap space. The Lakers, meanwhile, would dump Westbrook, address their three-point shooting holes and their massive hole at point guard. The Hornets, in the meantime, would receive much-needed draft capital.
A win-win-win.
The Lakers have been linked to a pair of trades in recent days. One involved the Phoenix Suns, while the other would involve the Chicago Bulls.
The photos speak for themselves. https://t.co/S9ci8JdfWZ
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 2, 2023
Neither move addresses all their woes in the way this one does.
The Lakers, Hornets and Sixers all have very specific needs. There aren’t many swaps out there that would result in all of them getting what they want. This is one.
Will this 3-team trade ultimately come to fruition ahead of Feb. 9? Time will tell.
Related: Charles Barkley Reveals Last Thing Michael Jordan Said To Him
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
