According to Lakers team reporter Jovan Buha broke the news in a podcast: Rather than trading Westbrook , the Lakers now want to use Beverly , a player whose contract is about to expire, and a first-round pick as trading chips to exchange for key players suitable for the team. Beverley switched to the Lakers from the Timberwolves this summer. He was suspended for three games and fined by the league for fouling Ayton from behind. A defensive champion in the league, he can only score 4.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this season. His annual salary this season is as high as US$13 million, the fifth-highest salary in the Lakers. The sluggish state is the main reason why the Lakers included Beverley in the trade.
American media The Athletic reported that the Lakers are expected to reach a deal for Beverley with the Pacers. The specific trading plan is for the Lakers to send Beverley, Nunn, and the 2027 first-round draft pick to get their inside core Myles Turner from the Pacers.. For the Pacers, who are rebuilding, they are unwilling to renew the contract with Turner , whose contract is about to expire. The former league's shot-blocking leader's salary this season is US$18 million. The contracts of Beverley and Nunn will expire next season, which will help the Pacers free up salary space, and they also received a first-round draft pick. For the Pacers, who are rebuilding, they have nothing not for sale. Before the start of this season, the Lakers had trade rumors with Turner and Hield.
Turner is an extremely talented athletic insider with good defensive ability and mid-to-long-range shooting. His arrival can improve the Lakers' interior defense strength. At the same time, the arrival of Turner can return thick eyebrows to the 4th position, reducing his pressure on the defensive end and reducing his probability of injury. Moreover, the Lakers can also use the twin tower tactics of Big Eyebrow and Turner when attacking, making the team's offense more diverse. Westbrook, who returned to the bench, performed well, which was the main reason why the Lakers gave up trading him. When the Rockets and Thunder met in the playoffs , Beverley's poor defensive actions caused Westbrook to be injured. Therefore, Westbrook was somewhat resentful of Beverley's joining. As the Lakers management sent him away, it means that the Lakers will most likely not initiate a trade for Westbrook.
The Lakers will also form a luxurious Big Four lineup composed of James , thick eyebrows, and Turner Westbrook. If this lineup produces a good chemical reaction after a period of time, the Lakers will still be very competitive in the Western Conference. Although the Lakers still cannot shake the throne of the championship team, they can definitely become one of the biggest spoilers in the Midwest in the playoffs.
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