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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreComplain all you want about the poor execution and dysfunction of their ownership and front office, but there’s no NBA franchise more willing to gamble everything and shoot for the moon than the Los Angeles Lakers.
While the Lakers may ultimately give in to win-now pressure to trade their two available first round picks, could a Zach LaVine trade this summer be their best opportunity to setup a successful transition from LeBron James?
While most observers view a LaVine to the Lakers trade as a long shot, could Rob Pelinka and Rich Paul conspire and force Chicago to trade Zach to the Lakers like they forced New Orleans to trade them Anthony Davis?The Lakers are reportedly leaning to not trading their two first round picks because they want to save and combine them with their 2023 first round pick on Draft Day in a blockbuster trade for a third superstar this summer.
The superstar the Lakers are targeting is Zach LaVine, who recently signed with Kutch Sports, the same agency as LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The game plan could be to force Chicago to trade LaVine to the Lakers.Let’s look at the Lakers’ options at the trade deadline and assess the chances a blockbuster Zach LaVine trade with the Bulls this summer could be Los Angeles’ best chance to setup a replacement for LeBron James.
Why Bulls Need To Trade Zach LaVine and Rebuild
The Bulls invested three first round picks to assemble a team they thought could compete for a championship. Unfortunately, a major injury to Lonzo Ball and a losing season have them considering blowing everything up.
Right now, the Bulls are 20–24 and hanging onto their playoff hopes as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference. With no word when Ball will return, the Bulls’ prospects to compete for a championship this season are dead.
There are conflicts to resolve between LaVine and DeRozan, and Vucevic has already declined an extension and decided to leave as a free agent this summer, putting more pressure on Bulls to consider becoming sellers.Complicating any decision to tank is the Bull’s traded their top-4 protected 2023 first round pick to the Orlando Magic in the Vucevic trade. The Bulls are afraid if they tank, they could end up losing the #5 pick in the draft.
Realistically, the Bulls are caught in between a rock and a hard place but the smart move is to rebuild because it’s obvious that roster they’ve built is not good enough to compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference.The problem with rebuilding is a young superstar like Zach LaVine is in the first year of a 5-year max deal and is unlikely to want to spend the prime of his career as part of a rebuilding team, which is why he should be traded.
How Lakers Can Force Bulls To Trade LaVine?
Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers have a unique opportunity to work with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports Group to force the Chicago Bulls to trade superstar two guard Zach LaVine to them in a mega trade this summer.
Rich Paul has already set the ground work for Zach LaVine to demand a trade to the Lakers by raising the issue of the Bulls needing to rethink their long term strategy and probably blow everything up in a complete rebuild.
All that remains is for the Bulls to formally announce that they are willing to accept trade offers for LaVine, DeRozan, and Vucevic and for Zach to proclaim that the Lakers are the only team he’s willing to be traded to.There would likely be immediate backlash throughout the league for Lakers trying to use the same tactics they deployed to force the Pelicans to trade Anthony Davis to motivate the Bulls to trade Zach LaVine to them.
LaVine demanding to be traded to the Lakers is the only way L.A. could beat out teams with better trading chips. No team is going to trade for Zach and the four max years left on his contract unless he wants to be there.If Zach LaVine demands a trade to the Lakers and advises other teams they’re the only team he wants to be traded to and play for, then there’s a good chance we could see Zach LaVine in purple and gold next season.
What Would Lakers Have To Give Up For LaVine?
Even with Zach LaVine demanding a trade, the Lakers will need to offer everything in their trade portfolio, including their 2023 first round pick, their 2027 and 2029 unprotected picks, and a 2028 first round pick swap.
Other teams will likely be reluctant to make significant trade offers for a player in the first year of a 5-year max contract who says the Lakers are the only team to whom he wants to be traded to and for whom he wants to play.
While the Bulls may not want to give up on LaVine, it’s hard to see them having a viable alternative if Zach is intent on forcing a trade to the Lakers. They may fight it but in the end, the Bulls know they need to rebuild.Once the Bulls and Lakers agree to trade Zach Lavine, it makes sense for the the two teams to consider an expanded version of the trade that could also include other Chicago players like Nikola Vucevic and Alex Caruso.
In the end, the Lakers would give up five players with combined salaries of $75.1 million, their 2023 first round pick, their unprotected 2027 and 2029 first round picks, and a 2028 first round pick swap for three players.Adding Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, and Nikola Vucevic to LeBron James and Anthony Davis would immediately give the Lakers the best starting lineup in the league. That’s the type of home run the Lakers always look to hit.
How LaVine Trade Sets Up LeBron James Transition
The Los Angeles Lakers will soon be confronted with the major challenge teams face in building championship rosters, which is how to successfully make the transition from a transcendent superstar like LeBron James?
Waiting too long to replace an aging superstar can lead to a decade of losses as the Lakers found out in the years after Kobe retired. The Lakers need to figure out how to avoid the same outcome when LeBron retires.
There’s a strong argument to be made that the smart way for the Lakers to manage the transition from the LeBron James era would be bring in a young superstar guard like Zach LaVine before the King is ready to retire.The Lakers need their two tradeable first round picks right now to get the size, shooting, and defense needed to be a competitor. But they also need those picks this summer to trade for a replacement for LeBron James.
While James is still playing at the level of a top-10 superstar at age 38, the injuries have become more frequent and common so it makes sense for the Lakers to start seriously looking for their next superstar to replace LeBron.Being able to orchestrate a trade for superstar shooting guard Zach LaVine as LeBron James eventual replacement as Anthony Davis’ sidekick is the type of shoot for the moon style of move for which the Lakers are renown.
4 Comments-
LaVine ain’t the guy you make a big swing to get…not an MVP level player. Plus, being so early into his new contract he’s got no leverage to force a trade; ask KD how that works.
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Hard to see the Lakers having even a top 3 offer for Zach. This isn’t AD with a season left on an expiring deal he’s just starting his extension. Laker news media will post anything for clicks. All this is just as serious as all the John Wall talk was last season.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreThe Los Angeles Lakers are on the clock and time is running out. Right now, the 20–24 Lakers are 13th in the West 1.0 game out of 10th and the Play-In Tourney and 2.0 games out of 6th and a guaranteed playoff spot.
The Lakers need to start winning games and climbing in the standings immediately if they want a legitimate chance to compete for championship this season. Unfortunately, the Lakers only have 38 games left in season. Realistically, they’ve already lost too many games to win 6th seed and a guaranteed playoff spot unless the crazy parity in the West holds. It took a 48–34 record last year to finish 6th and L.A. has already lost 24 games.
When it comes to the Play-In Tournament, however, the Lakers would have to completely collapse to finish below the 10th seed. While a 48–34 record guarantees a playoff spot, a 34–48 record would make the Play-in Tourney.
The realization that the best they can likely do for the regular season is make the Play-In Tournament has been a bitter pill to swallow and one of the reasons the Lakers have been hesitant to trade away their two picks.In the end, though, the Lakers know, if they have a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis playing at their best and give them a better supporting cast, they have more than a puncher’s chance to win the championship.
Having committed to only making trades that will improve the team both this season and the next two seasons, the Lakers have narrowed their trade strategy to focus on players who can still be contributors in the near future.Knowing their best path to winning #18 is being patient and trading for players who complement and fit with James and Davis, here are five ‘gettable’ players to give the Lakers improved size, shooting, and defense.
1. Bojan Bogdanovic, Starting Small Forward
Bojan Bogdanovic is the top player on the Lakers ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board. His elite 3-point shooting and big time scoring is the perfect complement to the Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
While Bojan is 33-years old, the Lakers are betting that he still has several productive years left as indicated by his scintillating performance this season where he’s averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.
The Lakers desperately need size, shooting, and defense. Bojan puts a big check next to both size and shooting. He should immediately become the Lakers best option when they need a basket to tie or win a close game.If the Lakers decide to make just one trade, it should be to trade either Beverley, Nunn, Jones, and one first round pick for Bojan Bogdanovic or Russell Westbrook for a combination of Bogdanovic, Noel, and Burks.
Bojan Bogdanovic, Small Forward, 33-years old, 6′ 7″, 226 lbs
21.2/3.6/2.8 on 14.6/5.9/5.2 shots for 48.7%/41.5%/88.5% in 31.4 mpg
2. Fred VanVleet, Starting Point Guard
Second on the Lakers’ ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board is the Toronto Raptors’All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet, who’s a volume 3-point shooter who optimizes possessions and can run a championship offense.
Fred VanVleet is exactly what the Los Angeles Lakers need from a starting point guard. He’s a career 37.5% 3-point shooter on over 6 threes per game, a former Eastern Conference All-Star, and a proven championship winner.
While he’s only 6′ 1″, VanVleet is an excellent defender who’s averaged over 1.5 steals per game in each of the last four seasons. Fred has a player option for $22.8 million next season so can become a free agent this summer.While the Raptors have several players the Lakers covet, the more likely deal is for the Lakers to just trade Beverley, Walker, Nunn, Jones, and a first round pick for Fred VanVleet and save Westbrook for a Pistons trade.
Fred VanVleet, Point Guard, 28-years old, 6′ 1″, 197 lbs
18.7/4.4/6.3 on 15.8/8.6/4.2 shots for 38.4%/33.4%/89.0% in 36.8 mpg
3. Nerlens Noel, Backup Center
Next on the Lakers’ ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board is Detroit Pistons backup center Nerlens Noel, who is still an elite defensive center with the quickness, hops, and timing to generate steals and block shots.
Noel’s value to the Lakers is as a backup center to anchor the team’s second unit defense and protect the rim when Anthony Davis is on the bench. In three recent starts for the Pistons, he averaged 1.7 steals and 2.3 blocks.
The overall defensive impact of having an elite shot blocker on the court for all 48 minutes of a game cannot be minimized. The lack of any rim protection with Davis out has been one of the Lakers’ greatest weaknesses.The recent negotiations between the Lakers and the Pistons on a potential Bogdanovic and Noel trade has been encouraging. Trading for Bojan and Nerlens would give the Lakers a massive boost offensively and defensively.
Nerlens Noel, Center, 28-years old, 6′ 10″, 220 lbs (3 games as starter)
3.7/3.7/1.3 on 3.3/0.7/0.0 shots for 50.0/50.0%/0.0% in 20.3 mpg
Key defensive stats: 1.7 steals and 2.3 blocks in 20.3 mpg.
4. Alex Burks, Starting Shooting Guard
Veteran Pistons shooting guard Alex Burks is next on the Lakers’ ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board. Burks not only gives L.A. a shooting guard with size but also one who has shot over 40% the last four seasons.
Burks is the perfect fit as the Lakers’ starting shooting guard. He’s averaging 45.3% from deep on 4.4 threes per game and has shot over 40% from three for the last four seasons and has a 38.3% career 3P%.
Alec Burks, along with Fred VanVleet and Bojan Bogdanovic, give the Lakers three starters who shoot threes and combined made 7.3 of 18.9 3-point attempts per game this season for a 38.6% completion rate.Alec Burks would be the third elite 3-point shooter the Lakers trade for and the third player coming back from the Pistons along with Bogdanovic and Noel as part of a Russell Westbrook and first round pick trade.
Alec Burks, Shooting Guard, 31-years old, 6′ 6″, 214 lbs
13.8/3.0/2.2 on 9.2/4.4/4.0 shots for 46.5%/45.3%/81.0% in 21.8 mpg
5. Cam Reddish, Backup Power Forward
Cam Reddish is the last player on the Lakers’ ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board. The Lakers use Lonnie Walker $6.5 million expiring contract to trade with the Knicks for young small forward Cam Reddish.
Reddish has been a huge disappointment for the Knicks, who spent a first round pick to acquire him from the Hawks. They’re even desperate enough to give him up for just matching salary and a pair of second round picks.
But the Lakers have a problem in that they will not have cap space to re-sign Lonnie Walker and would like to avoid losing him for nothing like they did Alex Caruso and Malik Monk. The solution is swap him for Reddish.By trading Walker for Reddish, the Lakers avoid losing the former to free agency with nothing in return and get the latter’s Bird Rights so they can go over the cap to re-sign him should he turn out to be a good acquisition.
Cam Reddish, Small Forward, 23-years old, 6′ 8″, 217 lbs
8.4/1.6/1.0 on 6.8/2.8/1.7 shots for 44.9%/30.4%/87.9% in 21.9 mpg liked this
10 Comments-
Here are five ‘gettable’ players for Lakers:
1. Bojan Bogdanovic, Starting Small Forward
2. Fred VanVleet, Starting Point Guard
3. Nerlens Noel, Backup Center
4. Alex Burks, Starting Shooting Guard
5. Cam Reddish, Backup Power Forwardhttps://t.co/07HChkK7AM— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 18, 2023
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He just amicably settled the suit with Klutch and paid them their commissions. Right after that the rumors about a trade to the Lakers along with Bojan came out.
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1) I think Detroit holds onto him unless overpaid to trade
2) That’s giving up a lot of rotation and size for a single 6’1″ PG. There would have to be a corresponding Russ trade and without 2 picks I don’t see it happening. Certainly not for the level of talent this scenario envisions.
3) Unlikely given his toxic relationship with Klutch. Should he become a Laker, though, that would be fine although I believe he would struggle to find minutes behind a healthy AD and Thomas Bryant both of whom are superior players.
4) Same as #1
5) I’d make that trade but fans should realize that Cam could just as easily price his way out of Dodge as LW4 can. Also, if LW4 the is the better player and we’re talking about going all-in on this season and devil may care after that why not hold onto the better player? Fine either way that one breaks, should it come to pass.In the end this is the only quote that matters: “Having committed to only making trades that will improve the team both this season and the next two seasons, the Lakers have narrowed their trade strategy to focus on players who can still be contributors in the near future.”
This is not Smart Strategy, this is the third self-imposed obstacle to make a trade happening so unlikely as to give the illusion that they tried really, really, really hard but, darn it, just couldn’t make it happen.
Also the price for mediocre talent has sky-rocketed this season thanks to the Gobert trade. Seeing that the Spurs are expecting the same return on a JP trade as they got for White last season is all you need to know that the Lakers are all but priced out of the meaningful action this season.
That’s why Laker Leakers are putting out the idea of Jeannie not wanting this or that. She’s fine taking the heat off Rob’s inability to get consensus this summer and subsequent dithering. She may have been behind it all or is faced with reading news articles about her GMs incompetence and would rather that bullet hit her, who knows.
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Lakers are talking Nunn and a 2nd for Cam. Might need a 3rd team according to reports, primarily because the Knicks have too many guards already.
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There should be a team to take a chance on Nunn. He’s played his best basketball as a Laker recently. That one dunk was something I didn’t think he had in him.
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1. Will hinge on an unprotected pick.
2. Chance to get 28-year old All-Star point guard
3. Lawsuit was ‘amicably’ settled.
4. Of course, you do.
5. Should be slam dunk.-
1 & 4: Again, look at the price teams are paying (or being asked to pay) for shooting or even mediocre centers like Jacob Poetel. It’s two picks to dance these days, although the protections are a point to be negotiated. Or one and player of decent impact/upside.
The plain truth is that, whether he intended to or not, Danny Ainge screwed the Lakers this season by setting the price for talent really, really high. The Gobert trade…gah.
Y’all want to see the Lakers at the high stakes table when we ain’t got the chips to even buy in.
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Detroit would be stupid to hold on to Bojan. They are young, need young and Pick.
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OOOOOoooorrrrrrrRRRRRR they could hold onto him because he’s cheapish, the price could go higher or he could help them win next season if they get VW or even just if Cade gets right.
I find it quite hilarious that a rebuilding team has absolutely no need of a veteran scorer on a reasonable deal because…we need help? lol
FWIW DJ a quick search of Detroit’s future draft assets would reveal that they have their FRP this summer because of how their record is, they will likely need to ship one out for next summer to one of three teams. They also have 4 second round draft picks.
Over the next 5 years they have at least one pick in each round and generally multiple second rounders until we get to 2030. By all that I mean they got plenty of picks. They’re also already young.
https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Pistons.htm
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreThe Los Angeles Lakers’ announcement that their strategy approaching the February 9 trade deadline would be to limit any trades made to deals that not only improve the team for this year but also over the next three years.
Frankly, the Lakers’ new trade strategy should have been their plan from beginning. Barring injury, LeBron James is playing like he will still be an elite player not only for this season but also during his two year extension.
Synching their trade deadline plans to the three years left on James’ deal makes more sense than trading away the future to win this season or stupidly sacrificing this season worrying about the post-LeBron years.The Lakers essentially have two trade packages. The first package consists of the $20.4 million in expiring contracts of Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, and Damian Jones plus the Lakers’ 2027 or 2029 first round pick.
The second package consists of the $47 million expiring contract of Russell Westbrook plus the Lakers’ 2027 or 2029 first round pick not included in the first package. The Lakers can also make trades that don’t include picks.Here is a 3-trade package that meet the Lakers’ new trade deadline strategy of not only helping win the team win a championship this season but also over the next two seasons in sync with LeBron James 2-year extension.
Trade 1: Toronto Raptors
If the Los Angeles Lakers want to build a team to compete for the next 3 NBA championships, they need an elite starting point guard. The first step in rebuilding this roster for the near future is trading for Fred VanVleet.
The 28-year old VanVleet is a former All-Star point guard and NBA champion who’s an elite volume 3-point shooter, an accomplished low turnover playmaker, and a feisty perimeter defender despite his size.
VanVleet is available because the Raptors continue to lose and it makes sense to rebuild around Scottie Barnes and because Fred having a subpar season and has a player option to become a free agent this summer.The Lakers get the young starting point guard they need to optimize LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the Raptors save the second year of VanVleet’s salary and get the Lakers 2027 unprotected first round pick.
Trade 2: Detroit Pistons
Once the Lakers have VanVleet as their starting point guard, they can focus on filling out the starting lineup and upgrading the backups at all positions. The best option to do that is by trading Westbrook to the Detroit Pistons.
Bogdanovic and Burks give the Lakers new starters at small forward and shooting guard and empower the Lakers to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with three high percentage, high volume 3-point shooters.
The 33-year old Bogdanovic is shooting 43.6% from deep while the 31-year old Burks is shooting 38.6%, each on 5 attempts per game. The 28-year old Noel will let the Lakers have an elite shot blocker on court entire game.Bogdanovic and Burks go a long way towards solving the Lakers’ 3-point shooting woes as well as giving them more positional size at shooting guard and small forward while Noel will solidly anchor second team defense.
Trade 3: New York Knicks
One of the rules to building a roster with stability and continuity is to not lose valuable players like Alex Caruso and Malik Monk to free agency for nothing. The player most at risk for that this season is Lonnie Walker IV.
If the Lakers trade Russell Westbrook, they would then not have any cap space to reward Lonnie for the excellent season he has had. Walker will likely earn a larger and longer new contract than either Caruso or Monk.
Trading Lonnie Walker IV straight up for Cam Reddish seems like a win-win trade for both teams. Lakers get a needed wing with Bird rights. The Knicks get a promising young star whom they have cap space to re-sign.Reddish gives the Lakers another 3&D wing to backup Bogdanovic and strengthen the second unit with needed size and shooting. Reddish fits the mold of a young player the Lakers hope will grow over the next 3 years.
Lakers Depth Chart Before & After
BEFORE 3 TRADES 
AFTER 3 TRADES A quick comparison of the Los Angeles Lakers’ depth chart before and after the 3 trades and 5 new incoming players shows how dramatically the trades have upgraded not only the starting lineup but also the primary backups.
The trades provided the Lakers with three new starters in VanVleet, Burks, and Bogdanovic but also two new primary backups in Noel and Reddish. The Lakers added greatly needed front court size, shooting, and defense.
The addition of Bogdanovic allows James and Davis to slide up to the 4 and 5 and the addition of VanVleet and Burks transforms the Lakers back court into an elite high volume, high percentage 3-point shooting guard tandem.Swapping Lonnie Walker IV to the New York Knicks for Cam Reddish completes what is effectively a midseason extreme makeover of the Los Angeles Lakers roster to make them competitive for the next 3 years.
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6 Comments-
Trade 1: Toronto Raptors
If the Los Angeles Lakers want to build a team to compete for the next 3 NBA championships, they need an elite starting point guard. The first step in rebuilding this roster for the near future is trading for Fred VanVleet.https://t.co/7e1wmff14X pic.twitter.com/TpOBeO1yiI
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 16, 2023
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Trade 2: Detroit Pistons
Once the Lakers have VanVleet as their starting point guard, they can focus on filling out the starting lineup and upgrading the backups at all positions. The best option to do that is by trading Westbrook to the Detroit Pistons. https://t.co/7e1wmff14X pic.twitter.com/xlNcHfpIv8
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 16, 2023
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Trade 3: New York Knicks
One of the rules to building a roster with stability and continuity is to not lose valuable players like Alex Caruso and Malik Monk to free agency for nothing. The player most at risk for that this season is Lonnie Walker IV. https://t.co/7e1wmff14X pic.twitter.com/YedEfcLWMu
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 16, 2023
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Lakers Depth Chart Before & After
A quick comparison of the Los Angeles Lakers’ depth chart before and after the 3 trades and 5 new incoming players shows how dramatically the trades have upgraded not only the starting lineup but also the primary backups. https://t.co/7e1wmff14X pic.twitter.com/eqjwAGPHNj
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 16, 2023
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I guess it won’t be until after the trade deadline that everyone will realize there is a really simple answer to what’s going on: the Lakers do not want to make a trade. This is the third self-imposed obstacle, at least.
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Hi, Jamie. Let’s see if Rob’s streak of not making in-season trades will hold.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreThe Lakers started the second half of the season with a heart breaking double overtime 119–115 loss to the Mavericks in a game decided by a pair of game-saving threes by Luke Doncic and missed foul calls by the refs.
THE GOOD!
Lakers Almost Won Game …even though they were missing Davis, Reaves, Walker, and Beverley. The game showed the Lakers current roster can still compete and is worthy of the front office getting help via a major trade.
Free Throw, Fast Break, and Points-in-Paint …differentials were again big factors for the poor shooting Lakers, who won free throws differential by 8 points, fast break points by 10 points, and points-in-the-paint by 4 points.
Points Off Turnovers …was another positive for the Lakers, giving up only 7 points off just 10 total turnovers while scoring 18 points while causing 19 Mavericks’ turnovers, a differential of 11 points in Los Angeles’ favor.
Offensive Rebounding … also favored the Lakers, who grabbed 14 offensive rebounds to just 3 from the Mavericks. LeBron James led the way with 6 offensive boards while Wenyen Gabriel had 3 offensive rebounds.
Great Games from Gabriel and Nunn …Wenyen Gabriel had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and was +9 for 33 minutes while Nunn had 12 points and a team-best +10 plus/minus in 18 minutes on the court.
Russell Westbrook’s Defense … on Luka was great and showed he could fill the Lakers’ need for a physical wing defender to slow down and limit bigger scorers. His physical defense on Luka was impressive.
THE BAD!
Missed Free Throws … were big reason Lakers lost last night’s game. While the Lakers did make 8 more free throws, they would not have lost this game had they just shot their normal 79.5% instead of just 63.0% from the line.
Poor 3-Point Shooting … put the Lakers in a situation where they had to play an almost perfect game to win against the Mavs. Lakers lost the 3-point shooting differential by 12 points, shooting a miserable 24.4% from deep.
Bad Game from LeBron … per his standards was another reason the Lakers lost. Though he played 47 minutes,, James had a tough shooting night, needing 28 shots for 24 points, 0–7 from deep, and 6–10 from the line.
THE UGLY!
Bad Game from Thomas Bryant … showed why the Lakers might still trade for a veteran center like Myles Turner. TB was outplayed a second straight time by a bigger and more athletic center in Mavs’ Christian Wood.
Horrible Game from the Refs … who did not blow their whistles on obvious fouls on Lakers’ shooters at end of regulation and first overtime. The worst officiated game I’ve seen this year with no consistency in calls.
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THE GOOD
-Lakers Almost Won Game
-Dominated Free Throw, Fast Break, and Points-in-Paint
-Won Points Off Turnovers battle
-Dominated Offensive Boards
-Great Games from Gabriel and Nunn
Great D from Russell Westbrookhttps://t.co/pZKfbkTxmB
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 13, 2023
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THE BAD!
-Missed Free Throws
-Poor 3-Point Shooting
-Bad Game from LeBron
THE UGLY!
-Bad Game from Thomas Bryant
-Horrible Game from the Refs https://t.co/pZKfbkTxmB
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 13, 2023
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Well, not sure I would say LBJ had an overall bad game, shooting was not good. He did lead team with 16 Boards and 9 (coulda been way more if anyone he passed to could shoot) Dimes.
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Did anyone see the official last 2 minute report? 7 blown calls in the 4th and OT. Not the one on Brown but one on LBJ and WG. Sad.
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A non-call on LeBron James’ potential game winner in the first overtime period was one of seven incorrect calls in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and the two overtimes during Thursday night’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, according to the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report released Friday.
James’ shot attempt came with the score tied and 2.9 seconds left in the first overtime. According to the report, Mavs forward Christian Wood “initiated contact to James’ left arm before blocking the shot” and the illegal contact affected James’ shot attempt.
After the block, according to the report, officials also should have whistled Luka Doncic for a loose ball foul for contacting Wenyen Gabriel’s arm.
Lakers rip critical no-call, say foul ‘clear as day’
16hDave McMenamin
The Mavericks went on to win 119-115 in double overtime.The non-call that the Lakers were most upset about after Thursday’s game — Lakers guard Troy Brown Jr.’s shot at the end of regulation, when Tim Hardaway Jr. made contact with the ball and Brown’s shooting hand — was deemed correct by the league’s report.
According to the report, Hardaway “legally contested” Brown’s shot attempt and made contact with the ball. The report also said any “high-five” contact was considered incidental.
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So they missed two foul calls that would have given us the win. One thing that seems clearer is that Hardaway apparently did touch the ball. That makes the follow through incidental contact more understandable. I did not see him touch the ball but that explains the call. Foul if he didn’t touch the ball.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreWith LeBron James still dominating at 38 and Anthony Davis looking like the league MVP and DPOY, the Los Angeles Lakers may not need as much help to become a legitimate contender as their front office once thought.
What’s changed the Lakers front office thinking has not only been the top-5 superstar level play of James and Davis but also the recent breakout play received from Thomas Bryant, Dennis Schröder, and Russell Westbrook.
Bryant and Schröder have probably earned starting roles at center and point guard. Even without trades, Schröder, Reaves, James, Davis, and Bryant should be good enough as starters to finish as a top-6 seed.Ironically, the development and evolution of the above starting lineup was the silver lining in the Lakers’ poor start to the season. Credit Ham and his player development oriented staff for emergence of this starting fivesome.
In camp, Westbrook, Walker, James, Davis, and Jones were the projected starters. but a slow start, Russ going to the bench, and James and Davis getting injured opened doors for Thomas Bryant and Dennis Schröder.The Lakers still need a volume 3-point shooting two-guard like Hield or Burks, a bigger 3&D wing like Anunoby or Kuzma, and a true stretch five center like Turner or Bamba who can protect the rim when Davis is out.
While the Lakers are supposedly willing to give up their two first round picks for a third star like Zach LaVine or Bradley Beal, they’re more likely now to make a smaller trade involving Beverley, Nunn, and one pick.The major negotiating point in every single one of these deals is going to be whether the Lakers will give up an unprotected pick because Beverley, Nunn, and Jones have no value other than their contract is expiring.
The Lakers should expect every team to demand an unprotected pick. There will be good trades to be made where the Lakers can still keep some protection but the Lakers should expect to have to give up protections.A Beverley, Nunn, Jones, and one-pick trade just needs a single trading partner who has a package of players the Lakers covet. Here are the five teams who are the best fits to trade with the Lakers before the deadline:
1. Toronto Raptors
The Los Angeles Lakers best potential trading partner is the Toronto Raptors and their best trade is Beverley, Walker, Nunn, and the Lakers’ 2027 first round pick unprotected for Gary Trent, Jr. and Chris Boucher.
The Lakers give up an unprotected first round pick but receive in return a 23-year old 3&D shooting guard in Gary Trent, Jr. who averages 18.5 points per game and is a 38.5% career 3-point shooter on over 7 threes per game.
The Lakers also receive a 29-year old versatile forward/center in Chris Boucher who averaged 9.7 points, 5.7 boards, and 0.7 blocks per game in 20.9 minutes per game and can play both forwards and small ball center.The Raptors are rebuilding around Scottie Barnes and are willing to trade everybody else. While the Lakers would be willing to give up both of their first round picks for Anunoby, this is a deal the Raptors should accept.
LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:
PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Open
SG: GARY TRENT JR / Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV
SF: LeBron James / Troy Brown Jr / Max Christie
PF: Anthony Davis / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Thomas Bryant / CHRIS BOUCHER / Open
2. Detroit Pistons
The Los Angeles Lakers next best potential trading partner is the Detroit Pistons and their best trade is Beverley, Nunn, Jones and the Lakers 2027 first round pick unprotected for Bojan Bogdanovic and Saddiq Bey.
The Lakers give up an unprotected first round pick but receive a 33-year old 3&D small forward in Bojan Bogdanovic who averages 21.0 points per game and is a 39.4% career 3-point shooter on close to 7 attempts per game.
The Lakers also receive a 23-year old backup small forward in Saddiq Bey, who averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 boards, and 0.9 steals in 28.3 minutes per game and is a career 35.4% shooter from deep on 6 threes per game.The Pistons wanted an unprotected first round pick to trade Bogdanovic. The Lakers give up the unprotected first round pick as quid pro quo for the Pistons including young 3&D wing Saddiq Bey as part of the transaction.
LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:
PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Open
SG: Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV / Max Christie
SF: BOJAN BOGDANOVIC / SADDIQ BEY / Troy Brown Jr
PF: LeBron James / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Anthony Davis / Thomas Bryant / Open
3. Indiana Pacers
The Los Angeles Lakers next potential trading partner is the Indiana Pacers and their single best trade is Beverley, Nunn, Jones and the Lakers’ 2027 first round pick unprotected for Indiana center Myles Turner.
The Lakers give up an unprotected first round pick but receive a 26-year old stretch five center in Myles Turner who averages 17.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game and is shooting 37.9% on close to 4 attempts per game.
Where Turner will have the greatest impact, however, will be on the Lakers’ defense. Pairing him with Anthony Davis will essentially enable the Lakers to put a lid on their basket for all 48 minutes of every single game.The Pacers have demanded one first round pick for taking on Westbrook’s contract and one pick for Myles Turner. Indiana should have no problem accepting expiring contracts and an unprotected first for Myles Turner.
LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:
PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Max Christie
SG: Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV / Open
SF: LeBron James / Troy Brown Jr / Open
PF: Anthony Davis / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: MYLES TURNER / Thomas Bryant / Open
4. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are also an excellent trading partner for the Los Angeles Lakers and their best trade is Beverley, Nunn, Jones and the 2027 first round pick unprotected for Jakob Poeltl and Josh Richardson.
The Lakers give up an unprotected first round pick but receive an elite 27-year old defensive center in Jakob Poeltl, who averages 11.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 26.4 minutes per game and shoots over 60%.
The Lakers also receive a 29-year old 6′ 6″ shooting guard with a 6′ 10″ wingspan in Josh Richardson, who’s also an outstanding defender and career 36.5% 3-point shooter and has the size to play small forward.The Spurs are in a complete rebuild and expiring contracts and a post-LeBron James unprotected Lakers first round draft pick should be enough for them to trade Jakob Poeltl and Josh Richardson to Los Angeles.
LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:
PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Max Christie
SG: JOSH RICHARDSON / Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV
SF: LeBron James / Troy Brown Jr / Open
PF: Anthony Davis / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Thomas Bryant / JAKOB POELTL / Open
5. Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are also an excellent trading partner for the Los Angeles Lakers and their best trade is Beverley, Nunn, Jones and the Lakers’ 2027 unprotected pick for Mo Bamba and Terrence Ross.
The Lakers give up an unprotected pick but receive a talented 24-year old backup center in Mo Bamba, who averages 7.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 18.3 minutes per game and shoots over 37% from deep.
The Lakers also receive a 31-year old 6′ 7″ shooting guard in Terrence Ross, who’s also a good defender and career 36.2% 3-point shooter on over 4 attempts per game with the size to play shooting guard or small forward.The Magic are in a complete rebuild so expiring contracts and a post-LeBron James unprotected Lakers first round draft pick should be enough for them to trade Mo Bamba and Terrence Ross to Los Angeles.
LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:
PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Max Christie
SG: TERRENCE ROSS / Austin Reaves / Lonnie Walker IV
SF: LeBron James / Troy Brown Jr / Open
PF: Anthony Davis / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Thomas Bryant / MO BAMBA/ Open
6. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bull are also a potential Los Angeles Lakers trading partner and their best potential trade for Beverley, Nunn, Jones, Walker, and the Lakers’ unprotected 2027 first round pick for DeMar DeRozan.
While some might question the fit, the Lakers have long coveted DeMar DeRozan and almost traded for him instead of Russell Westbrook last summer. Here’s a DeRozan trade that does not include Russell Westbrook.
Instead, the Lakers add Lonnie Walker to the package to make salaries match. DeRozan averaged 26.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 36.0 minutes per game. He’s not a good 3-point shooter but an elite scorerThe Bulls aren’t ready to trade LaVine but would probably jump at the chance to trade DeRozan for the Lakers 2027 unprotected first round pick. Despite no deep threat, DeRozan would make the Lakers dangerous.
LAKERS DEPTH CHART AFTER TRADE:
PG: Dennis Schröder / Russell Westbrook / Open
SG: Austin Reaves / Max Christie / Open
SF: DEMAR DEROZAN / Troy Brown Jr / Open
PF: LeBron James / Wenyen Gabriel / Juan Toscano-Anderson
CE: Anthony Davis / Thomas Bryant / Open liked this
15 Comments-
1. Toronto Raptors
Raptors are rebuilding around Scottie Barnes and are willing to trade everybody else. While the Lakers would be willing to give up both of their first round picks for Anunoby, this is a deal the Raptors should accept.https://t.co/6rqzIyT7lx pic.twitter.com/yjzjr2ZL8i
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 12, 2023
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2. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons wanted an unprotected first round pick to trade Bogdanovic. The Lakers give up the unprotected first round pick as quid pro quo for the Pistons including young 3&D wing Saddiq Bey as part of the transaction.https://t.co/6rqzIyT7lx pic.twitter.com/4ELMcXQQQc
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 12, 2023
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3. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have demanded one first round pick for taking on Westbrook’s contract and one pick for Myles Turner. Indiana should have no problem accepting expiring contracts and an unprotected first for Myles Turner.https://t.co/6rqzIyT7lx pic.twitter.com/yKFCq5WIPM
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 12, 2023
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4. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are in a complete rebuild and expiring contracts and a post-LeBron James unprotected Lakers first round draft pick should be enough for them to trade Jakob Poeltl and Josh Richardson to Los Angeles.
https://t.co/6rqzIyT7lx pic.twitter.com/b2c7aS6Ix2— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 12, 2023
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5. Orlando Magic
The Magic are in a complete rebuild so expiring contracts and a post-LeBron James unprotected Lakers first round draft pick should be enough for them to trade Mo Bamba and Terrence Ross to Los Angeles.
https://t.co/6rqzIyT7lx pic.twitter.com/RZ6z11e540— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 12, 2023
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6. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls aren’t ready to trade LaVine but would probably jump at the chance to trade DeRozan for the Lakers 2027 unprotected first round pick. Despite no deep threat, DeRozan would make the Lakers dangerous.https://t.co/6rqzIyT7lx pic.twitter.com/eta2Bq0r3U
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 12, 2023
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It’s looking more and more to me like the Lakers are going to make a trade but that it will not include Westbrook but instead Beverley, Nunn, Jones, and probably the Lakers 2027 first round pick with the big question being how much if any protection.
That means that Russ’ contract will expire and the Lakers will have approximately $35M in cap space to use to either re-sign Thomas Bryant and/or Lonnie Walker (if not traded), re-sign a player for whom we traded like Turner, or sign a free agent from another team like Kyle Kuzma (if any cap space left).
Anyway, assuming Thomas Bryant and Dennis Schröder are for real as difference makers, Reaves will continue to grow, and Westbrook’s recent improved play will keep happening, this team does need less than the front office originally thought. But they definitely do need at least a Bev/Nunn/Pick trade.
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Not sure I buy into the idea that the FO thought this team needed help. They had multiple chances to do make changes and hard passed every time. They’re looking for a gift/sensible trade, at best. Or they’re just driving the price up for other teams and are content making a move like signing Boogie.
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I think the game all along has been do nothing and hope and pray a great deal falls in their hands before the trade deadline. What’s got them in trouble though is that the team has done so well and LeBron and AD looked so good that they’re being forced to at least make a small one-pick trade without Russ. And they’re worried they will screw that up and still hoping for Beal of LaVine.
Frankly, I don’t really understand the Boogie signing. What we need is a center who can protect the rim when AD is not in the game. We know that’s not Thomas Bryant, although he can win that battle based on just his offense. But starting him is the smart play and finding a backup center who can protect the rim a priority. Mo Bamba or Jakob Poeltl could be better backup center candidate than DeMarcus Cousins imo. But I do like Boogie.
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The thing the Lakers have to remember when they put together their plans to get their next superstar is how long it took to pull off the Anthony Davis trade. I hate sacrificing this season when we still have an MVP level LeBron and DPOY caliber AD. I would not trade a chance to enhance that with great role players for a pipe dream of forcing Chicago to trade LaVine to them.