The Lakers are off to a 0-3 start and have major issues developing. Russell Westbrook continues to be a problem and the teams 3 point shooting is off to a histroically bad start. Could a trade with the Pistons save their season before it spirals out of control? Of course the Lakers would have to make it well worth Troy Weavers while to eat Westbrooks contract. The big question...Is Lakers GM Rob Pelinka desperate enough to give Troy what he wants? This trade idea likely will not be popular with Pistons fans hoping to see the team fight for a playoff or play in spot this season, but it could pay huge dividends to both the short and long term future of the team.
THE TRADE
Lakers get: Bojan Bogdanovich, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel
Pistons get: Russell Westbrook, Lakers 2027 & 2029 unprotected #1 picks.
WHY IT WORKS FOR THE LAKERS
1. Adding Bojan and Burks to the starting lineup would instantly help solve the Lakers 3pt shooting woes while providing better spacing for Lebron and AD.
2. Noel when healthy would be the best pure center on the roster and his $9M expiring salary could be a nice trade piece later in the season.
3. Currently the Lakers are looking to have $30M+ in cap space next offseason and being that Bojan has an expiring deal and both Burks and Noel have team options the Lakers could maintain that future cap fleibility.
4. All 3 players will have bird rights after this season so the Lakers could potentially spend the $30M in cap space they have and then circle back to re-sign all 3 players.
WHY IT WORKS FOR THE PISTONS
1. While the Pistons have expressed intrest in resigning Bojan after the season, at 33 years old he really does not fit the teams time line. Neither Burks and Noel were seen as long term pieces and were likely to be moved at the trade deadline anyway.
2. Unprotected #1 picks are gold on the NBA trade market. To land 2 of them without giving up any of our young core pieces would be a major coup for Troy Weaver.
3. The Eastern conference is loaded with good teams this year and the Pistons chances of making the playoffs or play in tourney this year was very slim.
4. By moving on from the 3 vets now instead of at the trade deadline the Pistons likely increase their lottery odds to land a generational player in Victor Wembanyama.
If the Pistons were to make a trade for Westbrook I can't see him ever playing for the team. i'd have to assume they would either release him right away or tell him to stay home.
