3 moves Lakers need to make to keep up with Suns after Bradley Beal trade

No. 1 move Lakers need to make to keep up with Suns: Sign Chris Paul

The Lakers could feasibly use the aforementioned contracts of Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba to formulate a trade for Chris Paul, who was acquired by the Wizards as part of the Beal trade. The Wizards won’t need much to part with Paul, but other teams can probably outbid the Lakers on the trade market if so inclined.

The question is, will other teams be so inclined? Paul is approaching his 39th birthday and his track record of health in the playoffs does not bode well at his age. Paul could ultimately reach a buyout agreement if Washington doesn’t find a suitable trade partner, which could lead him to the forefront of the Lakers’ free agency pursuit.

Either on a mid-level exception or for the veteran minimum, Paul would be a home run signing for the Lakers. Even at his advanced age, he remains a next-level basketball genius with built-in LeBron chemistry given their friendship, international partnerships, and collective I.Q.

Paul would take pressure off of James and vice versa as both age into basketball royalty. Meanwhile, Paul’s proficiency in the pick-and-roll would make Anthony Davis’ life much easier.

The Lakers can ideally pepper the rotation with enough guards — Austin Reaves, Dennis Schroder, perhaps even D’Angelo Russell — to lessen Paul’s workload during the regular season.

Los Angeles has been tied to several high-profile free agent guards, most notably Kyrie Irving and Fred VanVleet, but both hypotheticals come with hurdles that might be insurmountable. Paul is a much more realistic target, be it trade or free agency. If the Wizards do end up buying out Paul, expect the Lakers to leap to the front of the line.