Fansided

2019 NBA Mock Draft: When trades enter the equation

By Brendon Kleen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Smoothie King Center on February 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Philadelphia 76ers won the game 111 - 110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Smoothie King Center on February 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Philadelphia 76ers won the game 111 - 110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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11. player. 142. . C. Texas. Jaxson Hayes

The sharks are in the water for this Lakers braintrust already. The basketball world had a year to prep for LeBron James in purple and gold, but it’s not going to be pretty if Los Angeles botches what’s left of James’ late prime. Entering his mid-30s, James is still staring at a roster bereft of competitive veterans and the young players’ health and consistency is not where it needs to be for a deep playoff run. All of this became even more clear when James himself suffered an injury midseason.

So expect this offseason, as the Lakers confront the reality they don’t have the best (or potentially even second- or third-best) package to offer for Anthony Davis, that the team makes a hard run at Bradley Beal. Beal has said repeatedly he wants to play in Washington and seems hesitant to ask for a trade, but the team needs a reset. They are operating with a fraction of the salary cap of the rest of the NBA until the end of John Wall’s terrifying albatross contract and have hardly any young talent on the roster.

A deal that makes sense in our eyes:

Los Angeles gets Bradley Beal

Washington gets Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Isaac Bonga, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (re-signed and traded to join fellow Klutch client John Wall in D.C.), No. 11 overall pick

The trade gives the Wizards some breathing room in the arms race of young talent in the Eastern Conference. It also matches James with a young star whose game fits with the King’s better than nearly anybody in the league. The Lakers could roll out a starting lineup with Beal, James, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and a veteran center, a massive upgrade over what they entered 2018-19 playing.

Washington cashes in with the best pure center prospect in this class, Hayes.

Check out our full scouting report on Jaxson Hayes.

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