Proposed Blockbuster Trade Replaces Lakers Star With $120 Million Legend

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors and now they have to beat the Denver Nuggets. It won’t be easy and the Lakers already faced some difficulties in the first game of the series. NBA experts analyzed the current Lakers roster and some of them believe that General Manager Rob Pelinka has to pull out a blockbuster trade in the offseason.

D’Angelo Russell joined the Lakers at the trade deadline. He turned into a key player for the team and yes, he is lethal on the basketball court. Russell has helped the Lakers win a lot of games in the last few months, but he could become a free agent in the offseason. Pelinka has to make a decision on his future with the Lakers and Russell will have to do the same. He is at the very end of his four-year deal worth $117 million. Where will he go next?

Lakers could get LeBron’s dear friend in the blockbuster trade

Chris Paul could leave his team in the offseason and Zach Buckley from Bleacher Report would love to see him put on a Lakers jersey. According to Buckley, this would be an ideal trade for the purple and gold.

.@stephenasmith says the Suns are BETTER OFF without Chris Paul ?

"We want to make sure that the world recognizes one of the greatest point guards in the history of the game. … That's no shade on him, if anything it's shade on a great, great coach … in Monty Williams." pic.twitter.com/ULnYjs7WMM

— First Take (@FirstTake) May 11, 2023

“L.A. doesn’t have a natural table-setter to complement James,” Buckley wrote on May 18, 2023. “Russell, Dennis Schröder and Austin Reaves can all initiate offense, but they’re better as scorers than passers. Paul, meanwhile, still ranks among the Association’s best decision-makers, having just averaged 8.9 assists per game against only 1.9 turnovers.

“He’d help the Lakers maximize each position, and he’d consistently put James and Davis in favorable scoring situations. Paul would even elevate the supporting cast by knowing where his teammates are most effective and learning how they like to be set up. He’d also be a defensive upgrade over Russell.”

(2003) LeBron James and Chris Paul showing out at the McDonald's All-American game. ? pic.twitter.com/wLWQmVPXHH

— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) March 29, 2018

Paul has two seasons left on his four-year deal worth $120 million. The Lakers could pull out a few moves and sign him.

Russell is great, but he may not be a long-term solution for the Lakers. This could push the team towards someone like Paul.