Los Angeles Lakers: Bradley Beal should be the top target this summer

If he hits the trade block, Bradley Beal should be the Los Angeles Lakers’ top target heading into the NBA offseason

The Los Angeles Lakers have the assets necessary to acquire All-Star guard Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, and should he hit the trade block there’s no question he should be the team’s top target this offseason.

Beal is an outstanding player and one of the best shooting guards in the NBA. This past season, Beal averaged 25.6 points per game and for his career averages 38.4 percent from 3-point range.

In some respects, this season, Beal failed to deliver for the Wizards when John Wall got injured. Not only did he not make an All-NBA team this year, but the Wizards missed the playoffs as well. Nevertheless, his impact and potential shouldn’t be overlooked.

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Should the two teams come to the point of trying to get a deal done, what would be a fair trade offer for Beal?

You’d probably have to start with Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and the 4th pick in the 2019 NBA draft. More or less, that would be enough to get a deal done.

On the surface, this deal appears fair for both teams.

Unlike Kumza, Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, or the 4th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, Beal is in his prime and is a proven All-Star in the NBA.

Alternatively, the Lakers may be able to offer Josh Hart or Lonzo Ball in place of the 4th overall pick. Given their inconsistent play, the Lakers would be better off trading Ball, Hart, or Ingram in place of the 4th overall pick.

As far as their value on the court, Ball could be more valuable than Ingram for the Lakers. He is also a solid playmaker and plays well alongside any player.

Ball and Ingram have an injury history that should give any franchise cause for concern. However, if healthy, both can have a decent upside for the Wizards – likewise, Hart, when healthy is a solid shooter and bench player. Moreover, Kuzma has shown that he can be a valuable player for any organization.

Ingram is an outstanding player and can score. However, injury concerns for Ingram may decrease his value in the trade market.

If Ingram and Ball could stay healthy, a deal that just includes those two players would be a fair trade for Beal.

However, the Lakers should try to avoid trading Kuzma at all costs.

Kuzma is the Lakers most valuable trade asset and their second best player. For the 2018-19 season, Kuzma averaged 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He has been healthy the past two seasons and has played in 147 games. He also offers the Lakers nearly a decade of upside. The Lakers would be better off offering Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball in the deal instead of Kuzma.

However, it is unlikely the Wizards would do the deal without the Lakers including Kuzma.

If Ingram can stay healthy, a trade of Ingram, Kuzma and the 4th pick in the 2019 NBA draft for Beal would favor the Wizards. Moreover, if the 4th pick is De’Andre Hunter, he offers much potential upside for any franchise he joins.

However, given that the Lakers appear desperate and that Ingram’s health is influx, the deal is fair to both teams.

Another concern for the Lakers should be whether or not their core of young players can get past being mentioned in trade rumors.

With the young Lakers continually being mentioned in trade scenarios, it may detract from their ability to play on the court for the 2019-20 season. Either way, it might be best for the Lakers to trade them to avoid not making the playoffs this season.

With all of the above taken into consideration, a deal of Ingram, Ball, Hart, and the 4th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft would be a fair deal for both teams.

Acquiring Beal gives the Lakers a second offensive option behind LeBron, and it will make the Lakers a more attractive team to sign free agents this summer. This is a role that neither Ingram, Ball, Hart or the 4th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft can fill.

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For the Wizards, trading Beal for younger players would relief some cap problems and give them a deeper team. With Beal on their roster, the Wizards have a $109,166,400 in contracts on their books for the 2019-20 season.

If the Lakers have the opportunity to get a player like Bradley Beal, they cannot pass it up. The Lakers should do all they can to acquire Bradley Beal.

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