5 moves the Los Angeles Lakers can make to turn season around

4. Trade for Mike Conley and Malik Beasley

Similarly, the Los Angeles Lakers could look to deal with the Utah Jazz for Mike Conley and Malik Beasley. Again, a trade for this pair would likely involve Russell Westbrook, who at no point has fit into the Lakers’ scheme, as well as some combination of picks.

Both Conley and Beasley are near 40 percent 3-point shooters that shore up the Lakers’ biggest problem along the wings. Each of these players would complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who are bigger, more physical players with more consistent outside shooting that could open up the middle of the court for the two core players of the team.

Like the last option, though, a trade for Conley and Beasley that involves picks would mortgage the Lakers’ future and pretty much require the team to win now. However, it’s hard to look at the Western Conference with teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns and think that this altered Lakers team with Conley and Beasley could genuinely compete. The Lakers front office also understands the predicament — hence the persistent back and forth with LeBron James, who wants the team to be wheeling and dealing. But Lakers management doesn’t seem willing to throw away every draft pick at the behest of the King.