Getty Image / Sarah Stier
For almost a year now, Los Angeles Lakers fans have been waiting to see the franchise commit to a trade that could turn things around after a difficult 2021-22 season.
So far, all they’ve gotten are trades for Patrick Beverly and Rui Hachimura.
That may change soon as it seems they have been discussing their next big trade.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in talks with the Utah Jazz about a move that would send their 2027 and 2029 first round picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a package of rotation players that would include Mike Conley and Malik Beasley.
Trader Danny Ainge is in his element two days before the deadline: “We're in control, and we feel like we've got to be smart about the decisions that we make."
ESPN story from my recent sitdown with Jazz owner Ryan Smith, GM Justin Zanik and Ainge: https://t.co/wiAGhBT0rA
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 7, 2023
It’s most likely the Jazz will give up veterans for packages headlined by young players and/or picks.
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.
This would likely not be a deal Lakers fans would be particularly excited about. It would make the team better, but it doesn’t move the needle much.
Conley is a former All-Star and he haas been a solid point guard throughout his career, but bringing in Conley would just mean they were replacing one declining point guard with another. Conley’s assist numbers are up this year, but he is averaging just 10.7 points per game on 40.8% shooting.
Beasley is the more interesting part of their return, but hasn’t been much better than Conley this year. He is averaging 13.4 points per game, but is doing it on 39.6% shooting. His 35.9% accuracy from 3 would fill a need for the Lakers, but it feels like the Lakers would be giving up a lot here to not improve much.
Even getting rid of Westbrook’s salary isn’t all that big of a deal because his contract expires in a few months.
The Lakers definitely need t make something happen in the next couple of days if they are going to work their way into the playoffs, but this would be a costly move for a return that might not make a huge difference for them.