With just a couple of days to go before the NBA trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the clock to find a way to make themselves into a legitimate playoff team, if not a championship contender.
Kyrie Irving is off the table, leaving them with modest and even underwhelming potential trade options.
Los Angeles’ weaknesses include 3-point shooting and defense, and the Lakers are still shopping Russell Westbrook, even though he has played somewhat better this season coming off the bench.
Reportedly, the team has discussed trading him and two first-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz for a package of role players, including veteran point guard Mike Conley and shooting guard Malik Beasley.
Via ESPN (h/t Lakers Daily):
“For example, sources said the Jazz have had discussions about a deal in which a combination of rotation players including Conley and Beasley would go to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for 2027 and 2029 first-round picks and Russell Westbrook, who would likely receive a buyout instead of joining the Jazz.”
Such a trade would likely anger Lakers fans, as Conley appears to be over the hill while Beasley’s numbers have dropped over the past two years.
Both are decent, but not great, 3-point shooters, but both are shooting under 41% overall from the field this season.
The trade deadline is 3 p.m. New York time on Thursday.
