The Los Angeles Lakers unlocked their first NBA championship since 2010 and the work will only continue. The roster now headlined by LeBron James and Anthony will naturally attempt to establish a dynasty reminiscent of the past eras, and to do so the Lakers will need to draw in new stars.
It will be a busy offseason for Purple & Gold. Sure, there will be celebrations for the franchise's 17th NBA title but at the end of the day, the business of winning must be sustained. Upgrades are needed and that means a few big trades are lined up for the reigning champions.
For the Lakers to be listened to, the organization must be willing to put on the table players that will attract interest. Fadeaway World said that means preparing to say goodbye to stars in order to acquire the targeted players.
On this, the likes of Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso, Avery Bradley, and Quinn Cook easily come to mind. And in exchange, the Lakers front office should consider making a bid on emerging and established stars.
The best player on the market right now, as far as the Lakers are concerned, is Bradley Beal. The Washington Wizards star fits the bill - a highly-skilled shooting guard that averages more points than James and AD did last season.
Beal's deadliness from the perimeter registered for him 30 points per game and him operating on the Lakers' side will give more space for James and Davis to do their magic on the floor.
Hot on the list too is Donovan Mitchell, who is regarded as a rising superstar for the Utah Jazz. Mitchell is a prolific scorer and most importantly is willing to lead. He is young so the Lakers are assured that when Mitchell exploded further in the league, the benefits for Los Angeles will stretch for seasons to come.
Now if James would want to work with someone who is tried and tested, then an excellent pick would be Russell Westbrook, who is part of the elite MVP circle. The Houston Rockets star can be dominating if given the right mix and it's a no-brainer that a stint in LA could be the spark he has been searching for.
Another option for Frank Vogel is Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons and of MVP caliber. According to NBA Analysis Network, Rose was plagued by injuries in the past seasons but worked his way to recovery. He has become a reliable roster member for the Pistons, which is a quality that the Lakers can readily embrace.
One good thing going for Rose is he has worked with James before so the two have a clear idea on how to go about things in case the former makes his way Western Conference next season.
