WELCOME TO LAKERHOLICS
A Virtual Community for Lakers Fans
-
LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreAs a lifelong die-hard Lakers fan who lives in the Bay area and lost a son and two granddaughters to the Warriors as fans, I have serious concerns about what the Dubs resurgence means to the future of the purple and gold.
Forgive me but, if there is anybody more entitled than Los Angeles Lakers fans, it’s Golden State Warriors fans. Now favored to win their seventh title, the Warriors could end up participating in six of the last eight NBA Finals. With their three superstars finally healthy and Wiggins and Pool elevating their ceiling, the Lakers may be forced to go through another Golden State dynasty to get out of the West and win their 18th NBA championship.
Fear of a suddenly healthy and championship-focused Golden State Warriors team potentially blocking the way out of the West for the Lakers should lead to changes in the roster Pelinka builds around LeBron and AD. Ironically, not only do the Lakers now have to learn how to play like the Dubs but they also have to figure out what kind of players they need to surround LeBron and AD with to ultimately defeat the Warriors.
The Lakers are at a critical crossroads and the direction they chose to go this summer could determine whether they win another championship with LeBron and how they handle looming transition to post-LeBron era. What Rob Pelinka does this summer will have a impact on the success or failure of the franchise over the rest of this decade. He has an opportunity to solidify his job as GM if he can build a Lakers team to beat the Warriors.
If the Lakers want to build a team to beat the Warriors, they’ll need to (1) hire a head coach who plays modern basketball, (2) build a roster that can play big or small, and (3) find players who can shoot and defend.
1. Find a Head Coach Who Plays Modern Basketball
The Lakers move to hire Darvin Ham, who won a championship as a player with the Pistons in 2004 and as an assistant coach with Bucks in 2021 is a great first step in building a team that can play like and beat the Warriors.
During his four years as an assistant for Milwaukee, Darvin was part of a coaching staff that prioritized ball movement, spacing, and 3-point shooting on offense and pick-and-roll drop coverage and rim protection on defense. While Darvin will adjust his basketball philosophy to the roster Rob Pelinka gives him, it’s expected he will want to play an offense and defense similar to those favored by his mentor, Bucks’ coach Mike Budenholzer.
Hiring a coach from an team that plays new school five-out basketball on offense and old school rim protection anchored basketball on defense is an encouraging sign the Lakers plan to modernize how they play the game. Embracing constant ball and player movement and spacing on offense would be a great first step by the Lakers to play a style of offense similar to the Warriors instead of running isolation plays for their superstars.
I worry about Ham playing the same drop pick-and-roll coverage that Vogel favored when he had a shot blocking, rim protecting center and am interested to see the changes he will implement now that he’s the coach. Hoping he’ll be quicker to make adjustments than his mentor. Since Darvin is younger, I expect him to be more aggressive than Budenholzer was in making both roster and stylistic changes as the season progresses.
In Ham, the Lakers successfully nailed the first of the three goals they needed to achieve by finding a dynamic young head coach who believes in a modern style of basketball similar to that of the Golden State Warriors.
2. Build a Physical Roster That Can Play Big and Small
If the Lakers want to get past the Warriors in the West, they need be able beat the Warriors by playing big or paying small, which means they need both a young physical center to go big as well as a big 3&D wing to go small.
Being able to dominate Golden State when they play big or small is the key to beating the Warriors going forward. You’re not going to outshoot a team with Curry, Thompson, and Poole but you can beat them with bully ball. When they play big, the Lakers need to be able to offensively overpower the Warriors on the boards and in the paint. When they go small, they need to defensively dominate the Warriors with their small-ball-on-steroids lineups.
In other words, the Lakers need the versatility to play two bigs with a young physical center like Isaiah Hartenstein paired with Anthony Davis or small-ball-on-steroids with a wing like Otto Porter, Jr. paired with LeBron and AD. Dominating positional size and physicality is the ticket to beating the Warriors. You’re not going to outshoot them but you can out-physical them with size and power at every position, especially in the front court.
That means the Lakers need to find a young physical center like Hartenstein as well as a bigger 3&D wing like Porter if they’re going to build a roster of players who can take it to Golden State with greater size and physicality. Fortunately, both could be signed in free agency if the Lakers were to accept a hard cap. They could then pay Hartenstein up to $10.3 million per year for up to four years and Porter $4.1 million per year for up to four years.
Using their Mid-Level and Bi-Annual Exceptions to sign a center like Hartenstein and a wing like Porter would give the Los Angeles Lakers a significant positional size advantage over the Golden State Warriors.
3. Find Rotation Players Who Can Shoot and Defend
The biggest problem with the Lakers’ roster last season was there was no salary cap left to sign legitimate rotation players who could shoot and defend after trading for Russell Westbrook and his massive max contract.
That’s why one of the Lakers goals this offseason is to trade Westbrook and Horton-Tucker for two or three legitimate NBA rotation players who are better shooters and defenders than minimum salary players last season. While there’s no way a team is going to consistently outshoot the Warriors from three, there are major moves the Lakers can seek this offseason to build a roster that’s better equipped to defend and beat Golden State.
While it’s doubtful any team would be willing to trade for Russ the player, his $47 million expiring contract should be extremely appealing to multiple NBA teams looking to clean up cap sheets and dump long-term contracts. The top potential trade partner is the Indiana Pacers who are looking to dump point guard Malcolm Brogdon and shooting guard Buddy Hield, who would be outstanding fits as the Lakers new backcourt with LeBron and AD.
Malcolm Brogdon would be a huge upgrade over Westbrook in that he is an excellent playmaker who thrives both on and off the ball, shot 37.2% on 5.2 threes per game, and is an excellent point of attack defender with 6′ 5″ size. Buddy Hield was the player the Lakers were planning on trading for before they switched to Westbrook. He shot 36.2% on 8.5 threes per game last year but is a career 39.8% 3-point shooter who averages 7.6 threes per game.
Trading Westbrook and Horton-Tucker and their two first round draft picks for a volume 3-point shooting backcourt would be a critical step to building a roster that could beat the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs.
liked this
5 Comments-
-
Aloha Tom, I think you need to add the Grizzlies to your top contenders. Even with their inexperience they gave the Warriors all they could handle. And if Ja had not gotten hurt, they may not have gotten past them. They have a ton of cap space and can add a couple of seasoned vets to their young core, so watch out for them. In AD and LeBron the Lakers have the same ingredients that the Griz had that gave the Warriors fits. Size inside. I kind of expect the Warriors to address that in the off season. I still feel that our biggest priority is a big wing player. LeBron just can’t defend the 3 anymore.
-
Thanks for reading and responding, Michael. I don’t disagree that we need a bigger 3&D wing to guard other team’s bigger wing scorer but I think getting a shot blocking rim protector who can allow AD to play forward rather than center during the regular season is just as important a priority. The Lakers have enough trading chips and free agent opportunities if hard capped to fill both positions as well as getting bigger and better backcourt duo.
I do agree the Grizzlies, Warriors, and Clippers will all be fearsome competitors to win the West next season and maybe the Mavs if they can add another star and keep Brunson. This season was actually the Lakers best chance to win #18 this decade. Next year will be our second best chance and harder than this year. Lakers going to need to hit home runs this summer to be in the race.
-
-
Names you mentioned that I liked: Brodon, Hield, Hartestein, Olynyk, and Claxton.
-
-
-
LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreThere’s a growing consensus among those who dislike or doubt the Los Angeles Lakers that there’s just no way they can fix their roster problems this summer to become a legitimate championship contender next season.
On the surface, that projection seems inevitable considering the Lakers only won 33 games this season and there was no interest at the trade deadline for Westbrook or Horton-Tucker, the team’s best trading chips as players. What‘s different now is the Lakers have two first round picks to sweeten trades and Westbrook’s bad contract has now become an appealing $47 million expiring contract for teams looking to dump bad contracts.
In addition to trading Westbrook and Horton-Tucker, the Lakers should also make a strategic decision to hard cap themselves next season, which would then require them to remain under a $155.7 million total salaries hard cap. The benefits of being hard capped include not paying major luxury taxes, getting the full $10.4 million MLE and $4.1 million BAE instead of the $6.3 million mini-MLE, and being able to receive free agents via sign-and-trades.
The Laker should be able to get at least three rotation players who earn between $15 and $20 million per year in return for trading Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, and the team’s two first round draft picks. Additionally, the Lakers should also be able to sign two or three legitimate rotation players using their $10.4 million MLE and $4.1 million BAE. These would all be major upgrades over last season’s minimum salary players.
The Lakers have a path to add five or six legitimate rotation players to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis this summer. So let’s take a look at whom the Lakers might be targeting via both trade and free agency.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK TRADE
The Lakers’ top offseason priority is to trade Westbrook for two legitimate rotation players. Because they would have to take $50 to $100 million in bad contracts, the Lakers should not be willing to include picks to move Russ.
Whether it’s posturing or serious, the Lakers have been hinting they would keep Westbrook if they cannot find a trade for him rather than swapping him to Houston for Wall’s identical deal or waiving and stretching him. Because salaries have to match, the Lakers’ goal in trading Westbrook is to break his contract into two or three smaller contracts. Ideally, the Lakers would like to trade him for two players making around $20 million.
Here are four player trades with teams looking to create cap space by dumping players on long-term contracts for ones on expiring contracts. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers should be able to pull off one of these four trades.
1. Indiana Pacers Trade for Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield
Malcolm Brogdon (3 years and $67.8M) and Buddy Hield (2 years and $42.2M) are probably the best package the Lakers could hope to get for Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract without a draft pick. Opportunities available to expand trade should include Myles Turner.
2. Charlotte Hornets Trade for Gordon Hayward and Kelly Oubre, Jr
Gordon Hayward (2 years and $60M) and Kelly Oubre, Jr. (1 year and $12.6M) are probably the second best package the Lakers could get back for Russell Westbrook without including a first round draft pick. Opportunities available to replace Oubre include Terry Rozier or P. J. Washington.
3. Houston Rockets Trade for Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, David Nwaba
Eric Gordon (2 years and $39.0M), Christian Wood (1 year and $14.3M), and Davis Nwaba (2 years and $10.0M) would be the third best package in return for Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract without a draft pick. Lakers are not interested in swapping Westbrook for John Wall.
4. New York Knicks Trade for Julius Randle and Evan Fournier
Julius Randle (4 years and $104.4M) and Evan Fournier (3 year and $54.0M) are probably the fourth best package the Lakers could get for Russell Westbrook and his expiring contract without a draft pick. Opportunities to expand trade should include Derrick Rose and Cam Reddish.
TALEN HORTON-TUCKER TRADE
Horton-Tucker is the other Lakers player besides Russell Westbrook whom the Lakers must trade this offseason. There is a good chance that THT might be included in an expanded version of the Russell Westbrook trade.
While he’s only 21-years old, Horton-Tucker possesses dominating physical measurements. He has a 7′ 1″ wingspan, Kawhi Leonard sized hands, and a powerful body that weighs more than any other shooting guard in the NBA. While THT is not a great fit on the Lakers and needs to be on a young team surrounded by shooters where he could grow and develop into an elite two-way shooting guard/small forward, he still possesses exceptional upside.
Here are four possible THT trades that target potential Lakers starters and include one or two Lakers’ first round draft picks. Pelinka and the Lakers should be able to pull off one of these four trades for key rotation player.
1. Detroit Pistons Trade for Jerami Grant
2028 First Round Pick Should Be 2029 Trading THT, Nunn, Gabriel, and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks for an elite young 6′ 8″ 3&D wing Jerami Grant is probably the Lakers’ best available Horton-Tucker trade. Getting Grant would cost the Lakers two first round picks but fills what is thought to be their defensive weakness.
2. Indiana Pacers Trade for T.J. Warren
The Lakers would have to agree to be hardcapped at $155.7 million if they were to pull off a sign-and-trade for Indiana Pacers free agent T. J. Warren, who’s essentially been injured the past two years. Warren would be the Lakers second best return for a Talen Horton-Tucker trade this summer.
3. Brooklyn Nets Trade for Nic Claxton
As with T.J. Warren, a sign-and-trade for Nic Claxton would also require the Lakers to accept a $155.7 million hard cap for next season. Claxton is a defensive specialist who can protect the rim and defend the perimeter. His defense is good enough that small ball teams cannot play him off the court.
4. New York Knicks Trade for Cam Reddish
Cam Reddish would also be a great fit as the Lakers young bigger 3&D wing. THT and our 2027 first round pick should be enough to incentivize the Knicks to trade Reddish to the Lakers. New York didn’t really integrate Reddish into their rotations as he only played 14.4 mpg during the season.
MID LEVEL EXCEPTION
One of the strategic keys to the Lakers being able to rebuild a championship caliber roster this summer is being able to live with being hard capped with total team salaries to be under $155.7 million for next season.
The Lakers’ three major benefits of being hard capped are (1) the standard $10.4 million MLE, (2) the $4.0 million BAE, and (3) the ability to receive a restricted or unrestricted free agent in a a sign-and-trade transaction. That’s a total of $14.4 million to spend on free agents vs. $6.4 million if not hard capped. Not counting possible sign-and-trades, that means one $10 million and one $5 million per year player or three $5 million players.
Here are four possible free agent starters the Lakers could target with their full standard $10.4 million MLE. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers should be able to sign one of these four players to start with their Mid Level Exception.
1. Isaiah Hartenstein, Los Angeles Clippers Center
Isaiah Hartenstein should be the Lakers top free agent target and they should be willing to use their full $10.4 million MLE if necessary. He can be the modern rim protector and floor stretcher the Lakers need. Hartenstein is the Clippers version of Monk in that they can only offer him $4.7 million.
2. Bruce Brown, Brooklyn Nets Small Forward
Bruce Brown is second on the list of free agent prospects whom the Lakers could pursue with part or all of the $10.4 million full MLE. An elite defender who plays bigger than his 6′ 4″ body, Brown would be a great starting 3&D shooting guard and small forward and perfect fit next to LeBron and AD.
3. Pat Connaughton, Milwaukee Bucks Shooting Guard
Should Pat decline his player option to become an unrestricted free agent, the Lakers should try and sign him with their $10.4 million MLE. Pat is not only an elite defender but also a dead eye 3-point shooter. He would be an elite add to the Lakers for the same reason he’s been so good for the Bucks.
4. Jalen Smith, Indiana Pacers Power Forward
Jalen Smith is another player like Warren or Monk whose likely to leave his current team. The Pacers do not have the ability to match his market value since they declined the third year option on his rookie contract. Smith will certainly receive offers greater than the $5 million the Pacers can pay.
BI-ANNUAL EXCEPTION
The Los Angeles Lakers are eligible to use their $4.1 million Bi-Annual Exception this season to sign one player this season provided they elect to become hard capped at $155.7 million in total salaries for the year.
Being able to sign a non-minimum salary player via the BAE gives the Lakers another opportunity to add an important role player to the roster. The two trades and MLE and BAE will let the Lakers to build a deep roster. The Lakers want a rotation with no minimum salary players. Assuming an 8 or 9 player rotation, that means the Lakers need to add six or seven new quality rotation players to superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Here are four possible free agent players the Lakers could target with their $4.1 million BAE. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers should be able to sign one of these four rotation players to their Bi-Annual Exception.
1. Otto Porter, Jr., Golden State Warriors Power Forward
Otto Porter, Jr. should be the Lakers top target for their $4.1M BAE. The Warriors are likely to be moving on from several minimum salary players as James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga take on more minutes. Porter is a perfect bigger 3&D wing who can shoot the three and defend big wings.
2. Nemanja Bjelica, Golden State Warriors Power Forward
Nemanja Bjelica is the next Golden State minimum salary player who would be a perfect fit on the Lakers. Nemanja has good size and mobility and is an elite 3-point shooter who complements James and Davis. He should be the Lakers second choice for their Bi-Annual Exception.
3. Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors Shooting Guard
Gary Payton II is another Warriors’ minimum salary player who’s likely to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and would be a perfect candidate to sign with the Lakers for their B-Annual Exception. Payton is an elite defender who should fit in great coming off the bench with the Lakers.
4. Damian Lee, Golden State Warriors Shooting Guard
Damian Lee is another minimum salary player who’s earned regular minutes in the Warriors’ rotation but is likely to be allowed to walk as a free agent this summer. Lee can play defense, shoot the three, and is a bench player who’s proven he can play well on a contending team.
liked this
10 Comments-
The Lakers have four paths to add 5 or 6 legitimate rotation players to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis:
1. 2 Players from Trading Westbrook.
2. 1 player from Trading THT.
3. 1 or 2 players from $10.4M Full MLE.
4. 1 player from $4.1M BAE. https://t.co/Kh1VOUtC67— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 25, 2022
Build Your Lakers Team for Next Season!
Complete breakdown of the Lakers' four best targets for Russell Westbrook trade and for Talen Horton-Tucker trade as well as top four free agent targets for the Lakers' $10.4M MLE and $4.1M BAE.https://t.co/Kh1VOUtC67
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 25, 2022
-
I’ve tried to figure out what would be my top four picks in Russ trade, a THT trade, a $10.4M MLE, and a $4.1M BAE. It’s my offseason ‘roster building’ magnus opus. Hope you enjoy it. Please let me know whom you like and whom I missed. There’s a great Lakers team to be built. Thanks.
-
Aloha Tom, while I won’t say that none of your Russ trades won’t happen, I will say that most of the names have value and other teams will be interested in them as well. Their teams will look for ways to return a better package then just dumping them. In most cases Russ would be the last resort. The one exception would be Hayward. I don’t see many teams interested in him due to his age, injury history and salary. Although without a pick you would probably have to substitute Plumlee for Oubre. Obure is a useful player that they either will keep or use in a trade for the center they are shopping for. As for the Rockets they are not going to take Russ and keep Wall. That’s nearly a 100 mil in dead money. You might look at using THT to get Wood instead.
-
Okay Tom, here is my favorite THT trade. The Lakers send THT, Nunn and hopefully only a 2nd round pick to the Raptors for OG Anunoby. He’s only 24 and at 6’ 7” with a 7’ 2” wing span he is long like most of the Raptors wings. He is a classic 3 and D wing that is .371 lifetime from 3. Why would the Raptors do this deal? Well first, they really like THT. They tried to get him for Lowry and in that 3 way trade at the deadline with the Knicks that fell apart. They also did not have a viable back up PG which Nunn would be perfect for. And wings are the one position they are deep at. Barnes is already flashing superstar potential and will probably start next year. The one problem is they are hunting for a center and would probably use OG if say Turner comes on the market. Still they will have their full MLE to use and there will be centers out there.
-
Good suggestion, Michael. I like OG and he plays bigger than 6′ 7.” I understand the Lakers not wanting to give up a FRP in a Westbrook trade as they need them to make a THT trade worth more. The only time I would give up a pick in a Russ trade is if it were expanded to include better players.
Players like Anunoby who are young and talented are exactly the kind of players we need both to win right now and not throw away our future. We just need five or six of them which isn’t going to happen. Be lucky to get three who can start and complement LeBron and AD.
-
-
-
-
Quite the magnum opus there, LT.
I like all of these trades in a vacuum, obviously I’ve moved on from hoping THT finds his game as a Laker and don’t ever see him as anything more than capable role player on a competitive team. To get a player of Grant’s caliber would be, in my opinion, a heckuva coup.
Getting to a place where we could hard cap ourselves is trickier. As you know I don’t think we’ll end up trading Russ this summer. Without trading Russ there is no path available to put ourselves in the position to use those spending tools.
However, should we trade Russ and open up those spending tools I like all of those players. It would also put us back in play to retain the services of Monk. The spending tools we can use via the hard cap is the one thing I hold out hope for regarding Rob’s odd stance to trading Russ without additional draft picks in the mix.
-
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jamie. I’ve had this article in the works for about a week, trying to find a way to include the latest posturing by the Lakers regarding a possible Russ trade and narrow down the best 4 options for Russ trade, THT trade, MLE, and BAE.
Who knows what will happen this summer. I remain optimistic and believe we will end up trading Russ in a slightly expanded deal where we give up a pick for maybe better players than the first offers. For example, maybe we give the Hornets Russ and a pick and they give us Hayward and Washington instead of Hayward and Oubre. It’s part of my Westbrook Rules.
Monk and Nunn are two wild cards that could help the Lakers. Monk could be one of the targets for the MLE and we might keep Nunn as we need a backup point guard. We need 3 starters and 5 reserves or 8 players to fill out roster. Nunn could reduce that to just 7, which we might be able to get from trades and exceptions.
I’m optimistic about the Lakers hard capping because it gives us another $8 million to spend on free agents and we know the Lakers do not like to pay luxury taxes so this could easily happen. The ability to receive a S&T player and get $8 million more in free agents could be a life saver for the Lakers this summer.
-
We’ll see, I still got 50/50 odds Russ will be on our roster come camp.
-
Hope you’re wrong. I think he burned that bridge in his final interview as a Laker. He won’t ever put on purple and gold again.
-
There are no burned bridges. Kobe wanted to play on Pluto, remember?
-
-
-
-
-
-
LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreDominant size at every position was how the Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship in the bubble, playing a jumbo starting lineup that averaged 6′ 8″ or 2 inches taller at all five positions than the average NBA team.
Watching this season’s undersized version of those Lakers consistently lose the rebounding and points-in-the-paint battles will hopefully force the front office to reprioritize their roster building strategy to focus on getting bigger. What had been a fearsome small-ball-on-steroids attack that dominated at both ends of the court in the bubble has somehow evolved into undersized micro-ball lineups with Anthony Davis or LeBron James as the only big.
Positional size is not about prioritizing size over needed basketball skillsets. It’s about building a roster with players who are just as good at shooting, passing, rebounding, and defending as any at their position but are bigger. Having a size advantage at every position is game changing at both ends of the court, as Lakers’ opponents discovered in the bubble. The Lakers dominated the boards and paint playing two bigs and small-ball-on-steroids.
While size matters in the NBA, just being big is not enough and players need quickness, foot speed, and physicality to play and defend their position and not be constantly hunted by teams and played off the floor defensively. Heading into this summer, the Lakers’ top priority after hiring a head coach and trading Russell Westbrook should be to return to their winning strategy of positional size advantage when rebuilding around LeBron and AD.
Positional size is about creating a team-wide size advantage that translates into opposing teams getting worn out fighting against bigger players and frustrated as they give up more points, rebounds, blocked shots, and steals. It’s also about not just about size alone; it’s about how a player uses size. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, for example, both play bigger than their physical measurements as do players like P.J. Tucker and Bruce Brown.
Let’s take a look at why positional size is so important to the Lakers, how more positional size will impact the team offensively and defensively, and why greater positional size is the key to the purple and gold winning #18.
Why Is Positional Size Such a Key Factor in Lakers’ Rebuild?
Restoring the positional size advantage that helped them win the 2020 NBA championship should be the Los Angeles Lakers top priority this summer. Positional size is the strategic wild card the Lakers need to fully embrace.
The last two year’s injury plagued seasons should have convinced the Lakers’ front office that playing injury-prone Anthony Davis or 37-year old LeBron James extensively at center was not a smart strategic move to make. James at the four and Anthony at the five leave the Lakers undersized at both positions since at 6′ 9″ James is 1 inch shorter and at 6′ 10″ Davis 2 inches shorter than today’s average NBA power forward and center.
But were the Lakers to acquire a new enter like 6′ 11″ Myles Turner or 7′ 0″ Isaiah Hartenstein and move 6′ 10″ Anthony Davis to the four and 6′ 9″ LeBron James to the three, they’d have a size edge at all three positions. That’s why the smart way for the Lakers to get bigger is by adding a 6′ 11″ to 7′ 1″ center and moving 6′ 9″ James and 6′ 10″ Davis down a position rather than playing the four and five and adding size with a bigger small forward.
Making positional size part of the roster building strategy reflects that players at all positions have been and will continue to get bigger and their wingspans longer so it makes sense to prioritize size when the rest is equal. The other thing to remember is it’s how the player plays that matters more than his height measurement. Individual motor, vertical leap, and physicality can empower players to play greater than their physical size.
While LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the skill and talent to play bigger than they are, their best positions are most likely small and power forward where they have a definite size advantage over their competition.
How Will Positional Size Will Impact Lakers Offensively?
Offensively, having positional size advantage should enable the Lakers to dominate the paint, score at the rim, and control the boards, playing both a versatile bully-ball two-bigs and small-ball-on-steroids style of basketball.
Restoring the Lakers’ positional size advantage on offense starts with a young modern two-way center to start games to enable Anthony Davis to start at the four in regular season games like during the championship year. Starting a 6′ 11″ to 7′ 1″ young stud at center and sliding Anthony Davis and LeBron James down a position to power forward and small forward would give the Lakers a significant 2″ advantage at all three front court positions.
The only tweak the Lakers should make is adding a modern center who can not only block shots and protect the rim but can also stretch the court with 3-point shooting and defend well enough not to get played off the floor. Acquiring a modern two-way center like Turner or Hartenstein could also limit the wear-and-tear and potential injuries due to Anthony Davis having to deal with the raw physicality of playing center in the regular season.
By adding a stretch five center like Myles Turner or Isaiah Hartenstein, the Lakers can upgrade their positional size advantage in the front court and also improve their shooting, rebounding, and points-in-the-paint issues.
How Will Positional Size Impact Lakers Defensively?
Last season, the Lakers’ lack of positional size hurt them defensively in three areas: lack of front court size to control the boards, shot blockers to protect the rim, and guards or wings with the size to defend paint post ups.
Defensively, the Lakers need to get bigger at every position. They need a true starting center with the size to physically bang with Jokic, Embiid, Towns, and other NBA centers who are too big or too physical for Davis. They need bigger small forwards who can guard taller wing scorers like Durant, Antetokounmpo, and Doncic. And they need bigger guards who can switch everything and not be constantly hunted as easy prey on defense.
Adding a defensive center who can protect the rim and defend in space, a proven wing defender who can guard bigger wing scorers, and bigger guards who can switch everything will give Lakers a positional size edge. They may start games with a traditional two bigs lineup with Davis at the four and the new center at the five and close games by replacing the center with an elite wing defender and finishing with small-ball-on-steroids.
Defensively, having positional size advantage should enable the Lakers to transform poor rebounding, weak shot blocking, and easily hunted defenders from being their greatest weaknesses to their greatest strengths.
Why Could Positional Size Be Key to Lakers’ Championship?
Dominant positional size was the path the Los Angeles Lakers took to win their 17th NBA championship and, with a few modernizing tweaks, should be the same strategy they follow when rebuilding their roster this summer.
In many ways, the Lakers have bought in on the league-wide lack of respect for what the center position means to winning in an NBA where Rudy Gobert can win DPOY but can be played off the court by teams going small. The minutes and games that have been wasted with the forgettable and mostly over-the-hill rent-a-centers the Lakers have deployed over the last few seasons is almost criminal. Centers still matter, just like midrange shots.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis give the Lakers an advantage no other NBA team has in that they have two superstars who can play and defend all five positions on the court. They’re solid gold roster building wild cards. Getting bigger by adding a center instead of a forward enables the Lakers to take advantage of their stars’ versatility while reducing their workload and limiting some of the low post physicality that can lead to injuries.
Next to hiring a new head coach and trading Westbrook, bringing in a young modern two-way center to start alongside James and Davis would give the Lakers a significant size advantage at every position.
liked this
21 Comments-
The Lakers four most important players are the three players who will start alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the first player off the bench.
Last season, those four players were supposed to be Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and Malik Monk. Russ was a disaster, THT regressed, Nunn never played, and Monk surpassed all expectations.
Because of poor play, the Lakers often had two or three minimum salary players filling key starting and rotation roles, which was why they were also outgunned by the competition.
The key this season is getting four quality rotation players who can shoot and play defense but have plus positional size. We need a young two-way modern center who can protect the rim and stretch the floor. We need a couple of bigger wing defenders who can guard bigger wing scorers like Kawhi and Durant. And we need a pair of bigger 3&D guards who can stop easy midrange post ups by bigger wing scorers.
We can get two rotation players in a Westbrook trade, one in a THT trade, and two or three via the full MLE and BAE. The key to the summer will be finding four or five legitimate rotation players to complement LeBron and AD. A great GM could pull this off. The big question is can Rob pull this off.
-
Tom, I agree with both you and Jamie. But besides addressing the size issue I would also like to see the role players insert their will into the game instead of just deferring to LeBron and AD. Too often the players look hesitant as if they are not sure what to do in certain situations thereby making the whole scheme look putrid. I want players who can unleash themselves and are not afraid to make a difference, a la Jordan Poole.
-
Thanks, Buba. I agree with you about the role players often being too passive. It’s one of the reasons why I’m hoping Ham will emulate what Bud has done and focus more on ball and player movement designed to get threes and layups and dunks and less isolation plays. Keep everybody engaged and moving as the norm. You can always iso LeBron or AD when they have advantages. That takes away the built in hesitancy that heavy superstar iso offenses cause role players to be passive.
-
So you’re saying that everyone outside Lebron and AD needs to be upgraded. Whoa man, that’s a keen observation indeed. You keep throwing out those kindsa insights and you may be getting a call from Jeannie any day now.
-
-
-
Solid article LT. As you know I don’t need to see the stretch five box checked but won’t gripe if it does. Need a quality big who can deter shots at the rim, set screens and roll, and grab boards. One of the things that smacks totally true is that you don’t always have to be big to play big. PJ Tucker, Draymond Green and others of their ilk prove that every season. A lot of Laker issues seemed to stem from a lack of guts and heart last season, nobody took the challenge to push themselves or the team to another level. THT is a perfect example of a guy with the kind of physical tools you like to see in a NBA player but lacks that extra chip that separates them from just another big dude in the court.
-
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jamie. The Lakers clearly need to upgrade their 3rd through 6th players. Fortunately, I think they have the chips and path to do it by trading Russ, THT, and the two picks and hard capping to get $14.4M to spend on free agents.
Your point about players utilizing their assets to play bigger really applies when you look at P.J. Tucker and THT, who not only has to learn how to shoot but also how to play big at both ends. Part of the character test we should apply to candidates has to include being andplaying big.
Lakers need to get big across the board and adding a center and moving AD and LeBron down a position is the quickest way to get bigger in the front court. The Pacers trade is how we get bigger in the backcourt. The key could be the $10M MLE.
I still love going after a young physical center like Hartenstein, who’s kind of an Alex Caruso/Austin Reaves type of player at center. Works hard, plays bigger than he really is, has potential to become a stretch five since he shoots the three at 38% on low volume. Averages 1 block and 1 steal per game in just 19 minutes. He could just start games like JaVale with maybe a big wing like Grant or Hayward closing the game.
I’ve been kind of fascinated with the idea of prioritizing our needs by getting a modern center and big wing defender, ideally Hartenstein and maybe Hayward. Both would benefit from sharing the fifth starter/closer role with Hartenstein starting and Hayward closing. This summer would be an unqualified success if we hire Ham, trade Russ to get Hayward, and sign Hartenstein with the MLE. Fill those two big needs should be our top priority.
-
Isiah Hartenstein is one heck of a young center I would go for. That guy keeps impressing me the more I watch him play. But are the Clippers going to let us have him? Your reference to JaVale’s role is exactly what I envisioned and makes a ton of sense.
-
Aloha Tom,
For me it’s putting players in their best position to succeed and help the team. For me Lebrons best position is power forward. He is so much stronger then most players that an inch or two doesn’t matter. Like Jamies point its how they perform in the position is what counts, no matter how twll they are. While age hasnt affected Lebron much on offense, it has really hurt him on the defensive end. He cant keep up with these big wings anymore. I mean it was telling when we played the Clippers and in crunch time Russ was guarding PG. And we saw that all season. I want to preserve Lebron and having him chase these youn guys all over the court will wear him down. Defensively last year he was at his best when he could sit back and play free safety. He was able to use his high IQ and it resulted in a lot of steals and deflections. As for AD he is one of if not best defensive centers in the NBA. His injuries weren’t do to playing center. They were typical basketball injuries. He does just fine at 6’10. If he had played enough games to qualify he would have tied Jarren Jackson Jr as shot block leader at 2.3 a game. But offense is the main reason i want to keep him in the post. Over the last 2 seasons his jump shot has fallen off and his 3 point shot has fallen off a cliff. He was never great from 3 but 18%. isn’t going to cut it. The one area he still dominates is paint scoring. His combination of strenth and foot work make him unstoppable at times. i hope he can get his jump shot back but for me i cant build a roster assuming he will, after 2 years of poor shooting. This is why my main target would be a wing defender with size. when you have two guys that are the best at their positions, i want to leave them there, and fill other holes on the team.
-
We’ll have to A2D, Michael. While I think it’s important to get a bigger 3&D wing, I also think it’s just as important to get an elite shot blocker at center, ideally a stretch five. I think we have the assets to get both this summer. I want Lakers to be able to play big or small.
Give me Hartenstein and Grant and it doesn’t matter who starts, we will have filled our top two defensive needs. Could even vary who starts depending on the matchup. I might even be willing to live with a small back court if we had some shot blocking and wing defense.
-
I think we need to be able to adapt. How we start a game does not mean that’s how we finish a game. What I liked about the title winning team is we started with vets (Bradley, Green, LeBron, AD, McGee) and used youth and size off the bench (Caruso, KCP, Kuzma, Rondo, and Howard). Those were the main rotation guys in the regular season and we did a good job adapting combos of those players into workable line ups over the course of the playoffs. We need that kind of flexibility going forward. Might not get all the way there this summer or even next season but that has got to be the goal of the front office.
I think AD’s best use is not at the five, though. He’s always been better on defense as an elite weak-side shot blocker and not a primary rim-deterrent. He can’t muscle guys off the block and isn’t a great box out guy. He uses his athleticism and length. What I like about keeping Dwight and adding Hartenstein is having dudes on the roster who don’t mind mixing it up, set screens at an elite level, roll hard to the rim, and box out at a high level. That’s what we absolutely have to get out of the center position next season.
-
-
Hartenstein is an unrestricted free agent so the Lakers can sign him with part or all of their MLE, which is $6.1M unless we decide to hardcap, in which case it’s $10.1M plus a $4.0M BAE.
I would use whatever part of the MLE we need to sign Hartenstein. He could anchor the center position and would likely only start games so his 19 mpg last season would be similar this year.
I would think we could get him for around $8M per year, more than the $6.4M taxpayer MLE, which would be the main competition.
-
So Tom, you don’t consider AD an elite shot blocker? 2.3 per game would have been number one in the league if he played enough games. I just don’t know why you would want to spend our MLE on a 2nd string center that couldn’t beat out Zubac when we have one of the best defensive center in the league. I like Hartenstein. I wanted us to sign him last year. He is a great back up. But I’m not anxious to see LeBron get worn out chasing after wings.
-
Aloha, Michael.
I do consider AD to be a terrific shot blocker and I still favor closing games with him at the five. However, I do worry about his durability and there are bigger centers who aren’t good matchups for him.
I think it makes a lot of sense for the Lakers to have a quality starting center like Hartenstein at the five during the regular season. His 7′ 0″ size gives the entire front court lineup a positional size advantage. That Hartenstein can shoot the three is another plus.
To close games, I would love to have a great 3&D wing like Grant or Hayward who could finish the game going small. Were we able to get Grant and decide to go small with AD at the five to start and close games, I would be fine.
Overall, I think we need a young dynamic center because that’s the best way to become dominant in size. But I also agree with you that we don’t want LeBron chasing threes, especially during the regular season, so we do need that bigger 3&D wing.
I think our lack of rim protection was a bigger defensive issue than our lack of big wing defender. Maybe I will change my mind down the road but that’s where I am right now.
I want the versatility of being able to play big or small. No more Jordans and Drummonds. Time Lakers invest in a center who can make LeBron and AD better. That’s Hartenstein, my top target for our MLE this summer.
Bottom line, I want a bully-ball team that dominates sizewise and physicality wise at every position. I think that was the key to winning in the bubble and, with modern tweaks, is how we need to play going forward The only way we get positional size advantage is with a real center who allows AD and LeBron to play the four and three..
-
-
-
-
-
I have to disagree with your assessment of AD Jamie. As a center last year he had as many blocks per game as he did as a PF for us. He matched his career average in blocks. I’ve also seen him dominate star center like Jokic and Embid. Last year Embid went 9 for 20 against him while AD had 31 points, 12 boards and 4 blocks. He also is our closer at the 5. It’s the offensive side that really makes me want him at center. His jump shot and 3 point shooting hasn’t been there for the last two years. He does most of his scoring inside. My bigger concern though is LeBron. Father Time has not been kind to him on the defensive side of the ball. He is not the same guy he was a few years ago. Frank hid him on defense last year. Even crunch time you never saw LeBron taking on small forward or big wings. Russ often drew that assignment which is sad. The value LeBron brought us on defense was when he could sit back and play free safety. I really don’t want LeBron chasing young guys like BI around all season. That would definitely wear him down. If LeBron could still bring the defense it wouldn’t matter as much to me, but he has proven that he cant. Besides we don’t have many assets. Using our MLE for a center when we have AD, doesn’t make much sense to me. I also would keep Howard around and look to bring back Damion Jones. I could see AD sliding to the 4 when LeBron rests but I want him at the 5 when LeBron is out there.
-
I understand your point about LeBron guarding bigger wing scorers. There are times when I think our best use of our two draft picks could be to trade THT, Nunn, and the two picks for Jerami Grant. Then sign Hartenstein with the MLE and you solved your two biggest defensive issues. Then you go AD at the 5, LeBron at the 4, and Grant at the 3 with Hartenstein coming off the bench. That could work.
However, that could make it hard to move Russ, which is probably more important use of the pick to at least get quality in return. What do we do about a point guard then? Bottom line, I see a clear path to the Lakers getting Hartenstein. With full MLE, they should be a lock to sign him.
It’s the trade scenarios that bother me. Who is the small forward you’re going to get who would be better defending those threes than Anthony Davis? I agree LeBron can’t do that any more but there is nobody better in the league to shut down a three than AD. That’s why I’m not worried about running LeBron into the ground. He may start at the three but that’s not who he’s going to cover.
-
-
Here’s the problem. With so many holes in our roster and so little capital to fill them…it’s gonna be extremely difficult to run the gauntlet that has become The Western Conference. Yeah, you need size to matchup with big wings like Luka & Kawhi (he still playing?…lol). But you also need quick dudes for when you inevitably face Steph, Jah, & D-Book in the playoffs as well. Brogdon & Heild don’t want nunna that smoke. It’s easy to build a roster to get through the regular season; we woulda been a shoe-in for the playoffs with this season’s squad albeit for the injuries. But the post-season is a different animal.
-
I think as long as we have a healthy, rested, and motivated LeBron James and Anthony Davis, we should have a realistic shot at winning a championship. I don’t think that has changed in the last 18 months. We would still have to be lucky as that is another criteria to winning it all. So I’m not concerned with all the negative talk about how there’s no way the Lakers can rebuild a championship roster. It won’t be impossible and may be difficult but it can be done.
I see our roster broken up into three groups: 5 starters, 5 backups, and 4 reserves with one open roster spot.
We have 2 of the 5 starters with LeBron and AD and 4 of the 4 reserves with Reaves, Johnson, Gabriel, and Howard. What we need are the other 3 starters and 5 backups. I would try and keep Nunn as 1 of the 5 backups, meaning we need 7 more players who are better than the 4 reserves: 3 starters and 4 backups.
I think we can trade Russ and THT for 3 or 4 rotation payers and sign 2 or 3 with our MLE and BAE. That’s 5 to 7 players via trade and free agency to fill the 7 openings in the roster. And 1 less player if we bought a second round pick in the draft.
At any rate, I believe we have a shot at adding 5 to 7 new players who will be major upgrades over what we had last year as non-superstar starters and rotation players.
-
Sooo…lets say all these dream scenarios magically come true and we end up with Hartenstein, Brogdon, Hield, & Grant, Or Wood, Eric Gordon, and whoever. Along with the dudes we found on the street this season. That squad won’t be favored over any of the current top 4 in The West in a 7 game series. No way. Only chance is if a team suffers a serious injury like MEM losing Jah in the middle of that series vs GSW. Lebron just simply isn’t that dude anymore who can carry a team on his back for 45 minutes of playoff basketball every other night. And we’ve only seen AD come close to being that dude ONE time in his entire career….that was in the impossible to duplicate Bubble environment. Needless to say, I just don’t see #18 happening next summer.
-
Considering where we are right now, I would have to agree that we would be a longshot to win #18 next season. But I would love to go insto the season with Buddy and Malcolm at guard, Grant at the three, LeBron at the four, and AD at the five with Hartenstein coming off the bench. I think that could be a championship team that go big with two bigs or small with small ball on steroids.
The problem to me is that next season could be our best opportunity to win #18 this decade so we really have no choice but to go all-in to win it next season. Will be a challenge for sure, like threading a needle to make it all work but there’s no other option realistically. Going to have to hope for some balancing of the luck from the basketball gods for sure.
-
That roster ain’t beating GSW, PHX, or MEM as currently constructed because they all have backcourts that’ll torch us every night with their quickness & superior ball movement. Not to mention their depth, versatility and continuity. We would have to seriously thread the needle to even have a shot. That means every trade & signing has to hit 100% (that never happens), all the new dudes need to adapt to LeBron (not easy to do), and the new coach needs to hit the ground running with everyone buying into his system. All that stuff coming to fruition in a single season is like trying to pass a camel through the eye of a needle (Bible reference…lol). Yeah…we have to make the moves and give it try but I feel like it’s just gonna make the rebuild that much harder in 2 years with no draft picks and a buncha old/slow dudes in the cupboard.
-
-
-
-
LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreLast season was a brutal reminder of how important picking the ‘right’ players is to success in professional sports. Rob Pelinka will have to do a better job this summer than he did last summer if the Lakers are to win.
Unfortunately, finding the ‘right’ players is difficult and more of an ‘art’ than ‘science,’ requiring a lethal instinct for player strengths and weaknesses and ability to envision how the different players will fit as a team. More than anything, Pelinka’s failure to properly assess the risk and cost of the Westbrook experiment failing was the kind of mistake that ends careers. He’s lucky he will get a second chance, even if it will be challenging.
Here are the Lakers’ player needs this summer: (1) point guard to run the offense, (2) shooting guard to space the floor, (3) modern physical center to protect the rim, and (4) defensive forward with size to guard bigger wings. Importantly, for these four players to be the ‘right’ players, three of them must be able to space the floor with 3-point shooting and three of them must be plus defenders capable of guarding multiple positions and levels.
Last season, the Lakers filled those needs with Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, DeAndre Jordan, and Talen Horton-Tucker. Unfortunately, Westbrook bombed, Jordan was cut, Nunn never played, and Horton-Tucker regressed. This season, with luck and blessings of the basketball gods, the four ‘right’ players filling those needs could be Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Nic Claxton, a major upgrade of Lakers’ roster.
The Lakers should be able to get Brogdon and Hield in a salary dump from the Pacers for Westbrook and 2027 first rounder, Hartenstein with their TP or NT MLE, and Claxton from the Nets for Horton-Tucker and 2029 first rounder. That’s 2 players and 2 picks from the Lakers for 4 players. They swap Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, 2027 first round pick, and 2029 first round pick for Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Nic Claxton.
So let’s take a closer look at what each of these four new players brings offensively and defensively and why they’re the ‘right’ picks to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis and transform the Lakers into a champs.
1. Malcolm Brogdon, Point Guard
Malcolm Brogdon, 29-years old, 6′ 5″, 229 lbs
19.1/5.1/5.9 and 44.8%/31.2% on 5.2 3PA/85.6While trading for a difference-making point guard to reduce LeBron James’ on-ball and playmaking workload didn’t work with Dennis Schroeder or Russell Westbrook, trading for Malcolm Brogdon should be a winning move.
Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte are the Pacers’ backcourt of the future, which makes Malcolm Brogdon and his 3 years and $57.6 million an ideal chip to swap with Buddy Hield for Russell Westbrook’s expiring contract. Indiana has no interest in Westbrook as a player but are willing to take on his 1 year and $47.1 million to avoid Brogdon’s 3 years and $57.6 million and Hield’s 2 years and $39.1 million to save $49.6 million in long-term salaries.
One of the appeals to the Lakers of trading Westbrook and a first round pick to the Indiana Pacers is the opportunity to get a proven starting-quality two-way point guard like Malcolm Brogdon back as part of the trade return package. While the Lakers have to gamble Malcolm can stay healthy, they’re getting an All-Star point guard who is an elite 3-point shooter and playmaker with the size and physicality to defend multiple positions.
Brogdon is the ‘right pick’ for the Lakers to trade for as their new starting point guard. His size, 3-point shooting, and solid defense elevate him over other trade candidates like Terry Rozier, Derrick Rose, or Kemba Walker.
2. Buddy Hield, Shooting Guard
Buddy Hield, 29-years old, 6′ 4″, 220 lbs
15.6/4.4/2.8 and 44.7%/36.2% on 8.5 3PA/89.6%Buddy Hield to the Lakers should have and almost did happen last summer but the Lakers changed course at the last minute and traded for Westbrook. Now, in a sweet shift of fate, the Lakers may have a chance for a do-over.
Most NBA pundits were surprised the Lakers did not go through with a proposed trade with the Kings for Hield last summer as he is the perfect high volume, high percentage 3-point shooter to complement LeBron and AD. Hield, part of Indy’s bounty from the Sabonis trade to Sacramento, makes too much to come off the bench. With Haliburton and Duarte set as their backcourt of the future, the Pacers need to trade Hield and Brogdon.
While not an elite defender, Buddy Hield has the size, strength, and quickness to be a plus defender, especially in a switch-everything defense with rim protection. Hield averaged 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks last season. Pairing the 6′ 4″ Hield with the 6′ 5″ point guard Brogdon gives the Lakers a big high-scoring backcourt with the range to rain threes, willingness to share the ball, and size and toughness to play physical defense.
Buddy Hield is the ‘right’ pick as the starting shooting guard for the Lakers because his high volume, high percentage 3-point shooting will create more space than candidates like Eric Gordon, Evan Fournier, or Kelly Oubre, Jr.
3. Isaiah Hartenstein, Center
Isaiah Hartenstein, 24-years old, 7′ 0″, 250 lbs
8.3/4.9/24 and 62.6%/46.7% on 0.3 3PA/68.9%There may be no attainable player who could have a greater impact to unleash the beast in superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis and help the Lakers become a legitimate contender than Isaiah Hartenstein.
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis struggling to stay healthy in an increasingly physical NBA, the Lakers need to commit to signing a bully-ball modern center who will allow James and Davis to slide down one position. Hartenstein is the perfect fit for what the Lakers need, a mobile young center who can protect the rim and defend out to the 3-point line. In 17.9 minutes per game last season, Isaiah averaged 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals.
Hartenstein is the Clippers’ version of Malik Monk in that the most they can offer him next season is just $2.3 million, 120% of what he earned last year. Salary cap experts expect Hartenstein to fetch $7 to $8 million this summer. With a little salary cap magic, the Lakers should be able to keep their total payroll under the $155.2 million hard cap, which means they could offer Hartenstein up to the full $10.3 million of their MLE.
After a revolving door of failed ‘rent-a-centers.’ the Lakers have an opportunity this summer to sign Isaiah Hartenstein as their next great center. Hartenstein is the ‘right’ center at the ‘right’ price for the Lakers.
4. Nic Claxton, Power Forward
Nic Claxton, 23-years old, 6′ 11″, 215 lbs
8.7/5.6/0.9 and 67.4%/0.0% on 0.03PA/58.1%There is no player more in demand in the NBA than a 6′ 8″ to 6′ 10″ mobile forward who can defend bigger wing scorers like Jason Tatum, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Claxton is defensive jack-of-all-trades in that he can play all three front court positions — small forward, power forward, and center — and defend all five positions at al three levels of the court-paint, midrange, beyond the arc. While a great lob but not shooting threat, Nic gives the Lakers a defensive tool who can protect the rim and defend the perimeter so well he cannot be played off the court like so many traditional low post bigs.
Fortunately for the Lakers, the Nets have too many centers and appear unlikely to want to extend Claxton at this time, which mean they would probably be willing to trade him for Horton-Tucker and a first round pick. Trading for Claxton also gives the Lakers the defensive specialist they need to play any style of basketball, especially during the regular season when the Lakers want to save playing Anthony Davis at the five for the playoffs.
While he can’t stretch the floor, Claxton is the fourth ‘right’ player for the Lakers to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He gives the Lakers an elite defensive center and shut-down wing defender to guard big scorers.
5. Four ‘Right’ Players Transform Lakers into Championship Team
When healthy, no team in the NBA has two better superstars than the Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The problem has always been finding the ‘right’ three players to start alongside their two superstars.
The four new players — Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Nic Claxton— should give LeBron James and Anthony Davis the high volume 3-point shooting and versatile positional size to unleash their games. Brogdon, Hield, Hartenstein, and Claxton should be the best four players on the Lakers after James and Davis. While Brogdon and Hield are 29-years old, 23-year old Hartenstein and Claxton make the Lakers younger.
The Lakers not only traded Russell Westbrook and a first round pick for two quality starters also swapped Talen Horton-Tucker and a first round pick for a starter and signed Hartenstein with their full MLE for a fourth starter. Signing Hartenstein for the full $10.3 million MLE requires the Lakers to be hardcapped for the rest of this season. Being able to stay under the $155.2 million hard cap gives the Lakers another $8.2 million in MLE and BAE.
Here’s a breakdown of how the Lakers get under the NBA hard cap:
Rob Pelinka is facing a difficult challenge to rebuild the Lakers to championship level with few trading chips but there are multiple legitimate rotation players who would transform the Lakers into a contender.
liked this
11 Comments-
Picking the four ‘right’ players is a challenge for any GM.
-Picking the right two players in a Westbrook + Pick trade
-Picking the right one player for a THT + Pick trade
– Hardcapping to get one player with full MLE.Not going to be easy but this is a good pathway for how to do it.
Lakers get bigger and younger and can now play bullyball bigs or small ball on steroids. Hartenstein and Claxton are the key to transforming how this team plays and unleashing LeBron and AD.
Who are your four ‘right’ players.
-
-
They’ll totally elevate this same squad. They’ll win around 37 games.
-
37 games? Man, I don’t want to see any Lakers team with wins in the 30s again. Better have a team that can give us 50 wins at least. I am done with 30 wins Lakers team. That’s why I can’t wait to see what the next roster looks like. Rob has his work cut out for him.
For us Lakers fans, winning isn’t just everything it is the only thing.
-
With Lebron another year older, AD being a big question mark, and the rest of the roster swapping one batch of journeymen or otherwise flawed players for some others, a new coach, and shaky management, yeah, that team might be slightly better than this year’s version. Could even sneak into the playin if the bottom of the west is as lacking as it was this past season.
-
-
-
-
1) Is LeBron James. Still don’t get why people keep trying to take the ball out of the best Laker’s hands. Didn’t work with Kobe, wouldn’t have been asked of Magic and shouldn’t be asked of LeBron. Not learning that mistake from last season will be just another error in judgement. Having said that, I like Brogdon but don’t see much of a path for him to become a Laker this summer.
2) Like Buddy’s fit on offense and, depending on the next coach, his defense may or may not be an issue. Same as Malcom, though. Don’t see a clear path for him to get a purple and gold uniform this summer.
3) Love this notion and certainly hope it happens. Seems possible, as well so can see this as a solid potential move Rob could make. It’s nigh-incredible to me to see you actually advocating for a non-stretch five, lol. $10 mil is a vaaaaaaaast overpay, though.
4) I like adding Nic but not sure it’s worth trading THT and a 1st rounder for…especially since it looks like he’s not under contract next season and made the vet minimum.
All in all it’s funny because you basically just added all players that would have done well in a Frank Vogel system. Not going to lie, I fear that the Vogel firing will be just another mistake as I don’t really see a coaching candidate that will be all that better. Will they have a voice that sounds different? Sure. But we took away all of the defenders and guys who knew how to play with LeBron and AD for…well, that all doesn’t need to be rehashed.
Suffice to say but there are a ton of holes to plug this summer from mostly self-inflicted holes. Here’s hoping Rob can get creative and find a way to move Westbrook to Indy for the players above. I think you’re smart to take Turner out of that equation, as well. Love Myles, don’t see that trade going down.
-
-
I don’t see the Nets trading Claxton for another SG. They don’t have a lot of size. They don’t have one center under contract. Aldridge didn’t even play in the playoffs. He’s done. Blake got 24 minutes. He’s also done. Clayton is a restricted free agent. In a tight money environment they will probably keep him at a reasonable price. and Hartenstein is a good young player but he also was Zubac’s back up. i really doubts he gets a huge offer. if we had the bi annual, he might be had for that. I like him but not at 10 mil. Rather sign Damien Jones for far less.
-
The sign-and-trade for Claxton would really be for the Lakers draft pick than for THT or Nunn or any player. The Nets’ problem is they’re already paying so much in salaries that their luxury tax bill was over $100 million. That’s the main reason why they’re not likely to be willing to pay to keep Claxton. Like many tax paying teams, cheap vets at center seem to be the solution.
What I love about Claxton is he can play any of the three front court positions and guard all five positions. He is a backup defensive center who cannot be played off the court like Rudy Gobert because he can defend out at the 3-point line. Led the league in blocked threes. Problem is, like the Lakers, all of the players on Nets are free agents. Guys like Brown will get priority over guys like Claxton.
While I’m confident the Lakers could win the battle to sign Hartenstein to most or all of the full MLE, the problem with Claxton would likely be other teams with better offers. Nets won’t pay him but somebody else will. I’m just surprised at how undervalued Nic has been. He was the Nets best center when given the chance.
-
-
-
Hartenstein actually does shoot threes, just not any volumem but hit 38%. But he’s defense first with potential to stretch.
Again, it’s positional size and defense. It’s about more than just the center position. When you put a great young defensive center in the lineup, all of a sudden you get much bigger at power forward and small forward.
Position size is key to Lakers winning #17 and will be for us to win #18.
-
Gonna take all the stars, literally and figuratively, to compete with Boston, Dallas, Memphis, Golden State, and others with young studs .
-
-
-
-
LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreThe smartest move Rob Pelinka made as VP of Basketball Operations and General Manager for the Los Angeles Lakers was to forge an alliance with Rich Paul and the Klutch Sports Group, who represent James and Davis.
With LeBron James’ seemingly never-ending career approaching its end, the biggest mistake Pelinka and the Lakers could make would be to assume the Klutch alliance was no longer important and end the partnership. Ending a unique advantageous relationship that brought the Lakers two superstars and their 17th NBA championship would be a foolhardy move considering Klutch Sports is on the way to being the #1 agency in the NBA.
Right now, whether the Lakers should end their alliance with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports since LeBron James is nearing retirement has become the most controversial NSFW NBA topic dominating sports blogs and bars. Many supporters of ending the partnership blame LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the unnecessary season-killing trade for Russell Westbrook and are worried about LeBron bolting the Lakers like the Cavs.
What those critics are ignoring is the Klutch relationship is about a lot more than just LeBron James. Rich Paul is also the agent for Anthony Davis and taking a dramatic step like trading LeBron could end up alienating AD. Right now, Klutch has 31 NBA players under contract for total salaries of $389,208,200, including 5 All-Stars and two players with max contracts. Jeff Schwartz is only agent with more players, total salaries, or All-Stars.
Klutch Sports just signed Zach LaVine to join their stable of NBA stars that includes LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, Draymond Green, Lonzo Ball, Trae Young, Miles Bridges, Malik Beasley, and Darius Garland. Having potential access to Klutch Sports valuable portfolio of players is an advantage the Lakers should treasure and carefully manage. It’s an edge no other NBA team has and could directly contribute to future championships.
One of the advantages for the Lakers of having an alliance with Klutch Sports is the insight it gives Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office and scouting department when it comes to player evaluation, a Klutch strength. Rich Paul and Klutch Sports Group have become champions of NBA player empowerment and movement and that is not like to stop in the future. At some point, Klutch is going to make another move to help the Lakers.
It could even happen this summer with Zach LaVine, an unrestricted free agent, whom Klutch Sports could have demand a sign-and-trade to the Los Angeles Lakers or he will sign elsewhere and the Bulls will get nothing. Rich is not afraid to be a trend setting in getting his clients the best deals with the best teams. Pairing LaVine with James and Davis would certainly enhance the brand of the Lakers as well as the three Kutch Sports Group superstars.
The relationship between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Klutch Sports Group has been a point of contention with other NBA teams and agents, who say the relationship gives the Lakers an unfair competitive advantage. The league so far has not been able to find a legal basis for preventing the Lakers and Klutch collaboration. Nor has any other NBA team been able to forge a similar relationship with any of Klutch Sports competitors.
The smartest move Pelinka can make this summer is make sure to embrace and reinforce the Los Angeles Lakers’ close alliance with the Klutch Sports Group to help the purple and gold win more NBA championships.
liked this
8 Comments-
Lakers appear to be willing to work with LeBron regardless of status of extension, which is smarter than making trade threats or moves to alienate LeBron. Instead, the Lakers appear ready to move forward when free agency start to rebuild the starting lineup and roster around LeBron and AD as if LeBron were going to sign the extension.
This hopefully is a signa the extension is not going to be an issue as both the player and the team are moving forward following without discussing the extension until 8/4 as per the tampering rules. I would read this as saying they’ve already agreed on the extension come Aug 4th.
-
Again, they’ll keep Lebron only to remain (barely) relevant in the NBA world. Lebron/AD keeps them on the national radar and a newsworthy team, until it all goes down like it has in every non-bubble season. Every non-Laker/non-Lebron fan enjoys their taste of schadenfreude until it just becomes pathetic. Or even worse, apathetic. Seems like Jeannie is happy to just stay in the national discussion moreso than make the right moves to get back to the mountaintop as quickly as possible. I’m hoping Lebron and his yes man actually do care about winning another for the legacy and force their way out, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Look forward to another season of hoping everything just breaks right, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.
-
-
I see this sword as cutting two ways. While it’s no coincidence that this…arrangement…came from our initial signing of LeBron it was cemented when we enabled Anthony Davis and Klutch to force his way out of New Orleans. While that enabled the Lakers to win a ring it seemingly has come with some notion of fealty. That we somehow owe a banner to Klutch sports which is absurd and asinine. Yes, LeBron and AD were the best players on that team but I didn’t see Rich Paul catch a pass or Maverick Carter take a shot or anyone else who works for Klutch on the floor when the confetti fell in the Bubble.
There’s an actual timeline to this series of events that sheds actual logic on both the beginning and present of this “relationship”. Has little to do with Klutch at the beginning., actually, other than they rep The King. LeBron chose the Lakers in free agency when Magic was still President and the face of the franchise, he was coming here to be close to his family and film Space Jam. Maybe he saw a world where we traded for someone like AD but I do think he was intrigued with the Lakers as they were built at the time and the record they assembled when he was healthy is all you need to look at to confirm that.
Anthony Davis had wanted out of NOLA pretty much since Boogie’s Achilles injury. Maybe even before that. He wanted to play on a bigger stage and couldn’t wait until his deal was up to do so. Let’s all have a collective “Ahhhhhh, poor baby” for AD. Enter the Lakers with an injured LeBron and a host of young players and (at the time) draft picks). Not to be bullied by player or outsider the Pelicans waited until the summer to make a deal for Davis and got some good players in the doing. Proof is in the pudding as AD and LeBron were unable to get to the playoffs and the Pelicans, without Zion, were. Did Klutch help facilitate that deal with it’s strong arm tactics? Yes, but it also left a mark on the Laker franchise that won’t go away any time soon.
Now all of the above is semi-justifiable in the name of winning. The summer we traded for AD we also signed veteran and perennial playoff player Danny Green, hoops savant Rajon Rondo, locker room glue guy Jared Dudley and found diamond in the rough Alex Caruso while holding onto Kyle Kuzma and KCP. After a back-asswards coaching search conducted by Rob Pelinka (after Magic’s abrupt, televised departure from his role the season prior) we landed on Frank Vogel who cobbled together a solid defense and got out of LeBron’s way on offense. Result: banner.
So, really, Klutch has had one minute aspect in helping us win the title which was the least honorable of them all: strong arming a player out of a small market team before his deal was up and he could leave organically in free agency. Other than that? Klutch’s contributions to anything the Lakers have done is equal to diddle squat.
So, thanks but no thanks to getting in deeper with the Klutch mob. We don’t need to further sully the franchise to win, that’s been done enough and we have some work to do in getting it undone, in my opinion. If LaVine and Klutch want to try and strong arm the Chicago Bulls I think we’ll see a very different turn of events and one that might start to further erode the player/organization “peace” we enjoy now.
Player movement is great but so is honoring the deal you signed. Everyone gets sick of a job, comes with being human. But to endorse an NBA where a fickle moment here or a bad turn of events there kicks off an exodus from this team or that with a bunch of whining from millionaires? No thanks, that’s not sports that’s a tele novella, or worse politics, and I can watch that with or without the English subtitles. Frankly, there has been a little too much player catering in the NBA. It’s nigh impossible to build a team that lasts and there’s no better experiment to watch right now than the Grizzlies and Pelicans. What happens with Zion and NOLA vs. what happens in Memphis will be quite interesting to see unfold.
-
Glad to see you were so inspired to respond. Such a bias against Rich Paul and Klutch Sports. We wouldn’t have AD or #17 were it not for Klutch forcing the trade of AD to the Lakers. Yet, you want to end the relationship?
Would you change your mind if the Lakers were able to sign Zach LaVine as a player or Nick Nurse as head coach? Are you ready to trade both LeBron and AD? The alliance with Klutch helped us win #17 and has not hurt us in any situation.
-
We won’t be able to without strong arm tactics which aren’t likely to work since we have naught but crap to offer.
Not really, also don’t buy the whole narrative that we wouldn’t have won #17 w/o AD and Klutch. Obviously we won #17 in circumstances that will never be replicated so it’s a biiiiig stretch to say that we’ve won anything with AD the actual NBA player. If anything we’ve just served as his personal rehab station. Defense won that championship as much as antying else and that comes down to the actual team, not a couple players.
I don’t see LBJ and AD winning another title in LA based on how the future was mortaged to make last season happen. Going further down the road to placate the whole mess that comes with them is bad for business, bad for the future and will just make it harder for those running things to accept reality. We’re not a playoff team right now. Excuses can be found everywhere, tough leaders take the hit on the chin and reload in a manner that makes some semblance of sense, does that feel like what’s happening right now? No.
We don’t have what the Bulls want in a trade, ditching a 1st rounder for Nick Nurse won’t be enough, and would probbaly have to take on a bad deal, as well. Toss in Reaves or some other terrible idea. All of these flights of fancy are lovely for the stretch before the playoffs end but should not really be taken very seriously. We’re just as likely to have Westbrook on the roster as not next season, should really look at some younger coaches and not retreads and we should be looking at working the Charlotte trade to the max since it feels like the best offer we might (miiiiight) get for Russ. If they hire Mike D’Antoni I can all but guarantee that deal comes off the theory table. Russ ain’t a Mike D’Antoni kind of PG.
-
I find it interesting that you both acknowledge that the Bubble title was won in a way that can never be replicated and then turn around and heap the priase on the entity that, outside of the faces on the screens on the wall in the Bubble, had the least to do with any of it. You’re generally more imaginative and outside-the-box with your ideas but this “go all in on Klutch!” is one of the…I dunno..lazier ones? Or just doesn’t really feel well-reasoned because it kind of ignores a lot of the facts that happened. At any rate, I wholly disagree on the idea that we will impriove our lot by limiting our agency to options to one, or a few. Do they rep great players? Yes, and we should prusue the players that we can. Do we need to sell our souls to Rich Paul to make the franchise playoff worthy?
No.
-
And after the last 2 seasons every idea should be on the table. That’s what a good franchise would do. They wouldn’t cow to a player, they’d work with them…without leaking it to the media or referrencing it like a child asking for praise after going potty like Rob does. “I talked to LeBron and AD!” It’s irksome. Own your choices, Rob, don’t just be a husk or a placeholder.
-
-
-
-
-
There isn’t a realistic way that Klutch can force a Levin trade to the Lakers. First there are not many winning teams that can sign him as a free agent. Maybe the Griz? There are only two trades the Lakers could make with the Bulls. AD which won’t happen or Westbrook. What do the Griz get? Perhaps two distant picks? Would they really take on Westbrooks 47mil for that? That’s 23.5 mil for each pick. If I’m the Bulls I pass on that.
-
- Load More Posts
TOM WONG
Founder and Publisher
“Welcome to the new Lakerholics website. We wanted to create a place that would become the favorite online home for informed and passionate Lakers fans.
Please click ‘CONTACT US’ and let us know how we did, ‘JOIN US’ to become a member, or ‘SUBSCRIBE’ to receive our newsletter.
We promise to open your eyes, ears, and mind to brand-new purple and gold world.”
-LakerTom
FEATURED POST
5 Things: Frizzle Fried
The Lakers are a team forever on, at a minimum, low heat. Even the dudes who wipe the sweat off the court are under a microscope when you’re a part of the Lakers organization. So the heat will only get hotter for this team as they come home after a fairly disastrous road trip. All […]
FEATURED PODCAST
NBA Observations- Big Money Spent For The Clippers And Heat, Are The Lakers Next?
The guys from the Lakers Fast Break return for some NBA Observation as they share thoughts on the recent big-money extensions for Miami coach Erik Spoelstra and the Clipper’s Kawhi Leonard. Does this mean the Lakers will be opening up their wallet a little more as well? Plus after Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic’s huge rant after the Lakers game because of the fourth-quarter free throw disparity, we ponder if Darvin Ham will ever show that kind of energy if he remains as the guys on the sidelines for LA. We’re back talking some big $$$, and wondering if the Lakers are ready to go on a spending spree? Find out our thoughts on the latest Lakers Fast Break podcast!
Don’t forget to watch the Lakers games with us LIVE at playback.tv/lakersfastbreak and our newest Lakers Fast Break merchandise site is now up at https://tinyurl.com/39yb4ta3, check it out!
Please Like, Share, and Subscribe to our channel and our social media @lakersfastbreak on Twitter.
If you have questions, give us a shout-out on Twitter, YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, or send us your thoughts to lakersfastbreak@yahoo.com or become a supporter of the Lakers Fast Break today at https://anchor.fm/lakers-fast-break
The views and opinions expressed on the Lakers Fast Break are those of the panelists or guests themselves and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Lakers Fast Break or its owners. Any content or thoughts provided by our panelists or guests are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone, or anything.
Presented by our friends at lakerholics.com, lakersball.com, Pop Culture Cosmos, Inside Sports Fantasy Football, Vampires and Vitae, SynBlades.com, YouTube’s John Mikaelian, the novel Congratulations, You Suck (available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble), The Happy Hoarder, EmpireJeffTV, Larry Lakers Dribbling Chat Chat, Lakers Corner, and Retro City Games!
FEATURED TWEET
Lakers stars used speed and space of transition as stage for talent
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1437491268544835595
LAKERHOLICS LINKS
Library of Links to Everything Lakers
LAKERHOLICS MEMBERS
A Los Angeles Lakers Community
ABOUT LAKERHOLICS
Dedicated to Kobe and Gigi Bryant
Recent Comments
WHO’S ONLINE
[who-is-online-now]
LAKERS VS. WARRIORS!
I’m looking forward to next season. Lakers, Warriors, and Clippers should be top three teams in the West.
It’s already ripping through my family like Covid in a bar. Wife Teresa, Grandson Nick, and me against Son Kevin and Granddaughters Alexa and Mia.
Darvin Ham is step one to playing like but beating the Dubs.
Step two is getting a great center to go big and big wing to go small.
Can you say Hartenstein and Porter Jr.
Step three is trading Russ for two quality rotation players.
Can you say Brogdon and Hield?
The bonus is what can we get for THT?
How about Kelly Olynyk or Nic Claxton?