One trade scenario for each West contender to catch up with Utah Jazz

New York Knicks, Alec Burks, NBA Rumors, Los Angeles Lakers, League
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Alec Burks

New York Knicks Receive: G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, G Wesley Matthews, LAL 2024 2nd Round Pick

When you look at the talent on this Lakers roster, it is clear to see that they have a bunch of really solid role players, but they do not really have any consistent double-digit bench scorers outside of Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell.

This is now very apparent without Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder in the lineup. This team has lost four straight games and five of their last six games, which is definitely a cause for concern. Losing two of their best three players is obviously going to hurt the Lakers, but they have been exposed over the last week or so and will have to make some kind of a move before the NBA trade deadline or they could begin to plummet in the standings. 

This is why Alec Burks would be a huge addition for them and why he could play a big role in the Lakers getting back to the NBA Finals this season. Since the start of the 2018-19 NBA season, Burks has been on 6 different teams and if the Lakers were able to acquire him, they would become the 7th team he has been on in the last three seasons. The sharpshooting wing is a very undervalued player across the league and does not get the recognition he deserves.

The Los Angeles Lakers may be a great defensive team, but without Dennis Schroder and Anthony Davis, this team really struggles offensively. Even with AD and Schroder, the Lakers still rank 18th in the league in scoring this year and could really use another “go-to” bench scorer.

Alec Burks would not only fit their system well because of his “3-and-D” play style, but because he is a guy that can create for himself. He is not only a catch-and-shoot wing, but Burks is more than capable of putting the ball on the court and getting to the rim.

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This is the type of player the Lakers desperately need, especially since they have virtually no wing depth. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a catch-and-shoot guard, Kyle Kuzma has spent a lot of time on the perimeter this year and Talen Horton-Tucker is still a growing, young talent that is not ready to take on a huge role.

The Lakers are a great three-point shooting team, which could make this acquisition one of the better ones near the NBA trade deadline in terms of total value received. Burks is an impact player and if the Lakers are able to acquire him, they would have the reliable bench scorer they need to make it back to the NBA Finals for a chance to repeat as champions.

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