"You kill 3 birds with 1 stone" - Shannon Sharpe believes LA Lakers should go ahead with heavily rumored trade, but with certain restrictions
The LA Lakers made a surprising move by signing Patrick Beverley from the Utah Jazz, sending youngsters Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson to Salt Lake City. The deal was executed in no time and will likely benefit the Lakers.
Horton-Tucker showed potential but was unable to make the most of his opportunities last season. Stanley Johnson also played well last season, but probably had to be included in the deal to make it attractive.
.@ShannonSharpe on whether the Lakers should trade for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield:
"You kill 3 birds with 1 stone here. You get off Russ, you add shooting and defense. It would be a great situation." https://t.co/4JXbRYmESU
Shannon Sharpe of “Undisputed” said he believed that the LA Lakers still have some offseason moves to make. He dug up an old rumor that involved the Indiana Pacers. It was reported that the Lakers were keen on sending Russell Westbrook and a future draft pick to the Pacers in return for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner. However, the Pacers weren’t taken by the proposition.
“It will address two needs for the Los Angeles Lakers, which is shooting and defense. Myles Turner is a tremendous rim protector. He can knock down three, he has three-point range.”
“Buddy Hield provides the shooting, and the shooting the Lakers so desperately needed.”
If the Lakers are able to trade Russell Westbrook for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner, how far does this team go?
PG - Patrick Beverley
SG - Buddy Hield
SF - LeBron James
PF - Anthony Davis
C - Myles Turner https://t.co/DHLVyhc41k
Moving Westbrook has proven to be very complicated for the LA Lakers, and Sharpe feels they should resume talks with the Pacers.
“You kill 3 birds with 1 stone. You get off of Russ, you get shooting, and you get defense. So, I think it would be a great situation.”
“So, the question is, for the Lakers, what are you willing to do to get off Russ? Cause we got Myles Turner and Buddy Hield – they’re ready to go, they got their bags packed. Tell them no need to unpack. So, if you got that 2029 first-round pick that’s unprotected; that 2027, that’s unprotected – Holla at us!”
The LA Lakers need to decide whether they want win now or safeguard the future
The LA Lakers have made some positive moves this summer and could be contenders if they get more players in. With Anthony Davis healthy and LeBron James showing no signs of slowing down, the Lakers may find themselves in a position to contend.
A trade with the Indiana Pacers could still happen if the Lakers are willing to add another draft pick to the mix. Although the Pacers might still not budge, it's worth a shot for the Lakers, who appear to be desperate to offload Westbrook’s sizable contract.