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LakerTom wrote a new post
The Los Angeles Lakers need to win games and moving Russell Westbrook to the bench the rest of the season and staggering his minutes with James and Davis could make it easier to build a winning starting lineup and rotations.
One of the major reasons the Lakers have been unable to win many games this season has been their poor roster construction, which led head coach Frank Vogel to regularly deploy a collection of fundamentally flawed lineups. Rob Pelinka didn’t do Frank Vogel any favors when he gave him a James, Davis, Westbrook superstar big three. Russ hasn’t fit well and his presence makes it hard to surround LeBron and AD with shooting and defense.
The Lakers were desperate to find shooters and defenders to surround James and Davis but trading for Russell Westbrook, who is not a good shooter or defender, only exacerbated the situation and made it worse. Forget injuries to LeBron and AD. The reality is Lakers’ lineups with all three superstars LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook have played a total of 376 minutes this season with a negative net rating of -2.5.
The only strategy the Lakers haven’t tried is bringing Westbrook off the bench and staggering his minutes versus James and Davis to make it easer to surround them with shooters and defenders and let Russ feast against backups. The Lakers are desperate to win games and reverting to a starting lineup with just two superstars could be the catalyst to enable Frank Vogel to create more effective starting lineups and rotations and win more games.
Let’s take a look at how moving Russell Westbrook to the bench and staggering his minutes with LeBron and AD could help the Los Angeles Lakers win more games and maybe find success in the playoffs.
1. Lakers’ Starting Lineup Will Be Better Without Westbrook
Russell Westbrook starting not only takes possessions from LeBron James and Anthony Davis but Russ’ lack of gravity as a 3-point shooter makes it easy to pack the paint and prevent LeBron and AD from attacking the rim.
Even more distressing is the recent scuttlebutt we’re hearing behind the scenes that Westbrook has become almost defiant and pushed back “when coaches and teammates have tried to broach changes in his role or approach.” Word is both the Lakers and Westbrook are ready to move on next season, which raises the question of what the Lakers should do with Russ these last 20 games since the relationship may become adversarial.
Removing Russ from the starting lineup would give Lakers head coach Frank three instead of two starting positions to add the playmaking, shooting, and defense needed to complement superstars James and Davis. Building an elite starting lineup around three superstars is almost impossible as there is no way to ‘surround’ LeBron, AD, and Russ with playmakers, shooters, and defenders when you only have two starters available.
Frankly, the time’s come to stop treating Russ like he’s a legit third superstar on a championship caliber team. He’s now become the mistake the Lakers will likely have to sacrifice a couple of draft picks to fix this summer. Truth is Westbrook is just a poor fit as starter because what he brings to the table offensively or defensively does not complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis or make it easier for them excel at either end of the court.
Right now, the Lakers are losing the minutes when LeBron, AD, and Russ are on the court together. Benching Russ could be the solution to the Lakers winning the minutes the starters are on the floor together going forward.
2. Westbrook Will Be More Effective Player Coming Off Bench
While Westbrook will not be happy coming off the bench for the last 20 games of this season, it could be an chance for him to showcase his brand and what he’s capable of doing when not limited to being third option.
Russell Westbrook’s subpar season has clearly been =impacted by playing most of his minutes alongside LeBron James and/or Anthony Davis. He has a -4.0 Net Rating playing with James and a -2.3 Net Rating and with Davis. Russ has actually played better without LeBron James than with him this season, averaging 21.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.6 assists while shooting 44.8/345.7/72,2% in 35.5 minutes in 17 games without LeBron James.
Westbrook has struggled mightily when playing with LeBron and AD, often deferring to them rather than playing his normal super aggressive game. Bringing him off the bench will put Russ in situations where he can excel. Westbrook should realize his game is better suited to come off the bench, where he can once again be the alpha dog and his relentless attacking style will be able to take advantage of playing against a team’s backup players.
Now that the Lakers and Russ have mutually agreed to part ways at the end of this season, Russ needs to be sold on the idea this is the best way for him to show teams his subpar season is primarily due to his fit on the Lakers. He needs to understand that becoming a force off the bench without LeBron and AD could be the perfect opportunity to showcase his game over the next 20 games, the play-in tournament, and ultimately the NBA Playoffs.
Russ’ market value has taken a hard hit with the Lakers and a chance to be the Lakers’ alpha player who gets the touches and shots off the bench could benefit the Lakers need to win games and Russ to redeem his brand.
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While it would have been better to have moved Russ to bench earlier, the Lakers should still make change now to give us an improved starting lineup with better defense and shooting to complement LeBron and AD and a full-throttle version of Russ coming off the bench surrounded by shooters feasting on reserves in the playoffs.
Lakers have 19 more games to go to figure out how to free up the starting lineup and setup Russ for success coming off the bench in the playoffs. That should be one of the regular season goals for the rest of the season.
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Back in high school, there was a Sr. who got to start out of respect and the fact he was pretty beloved by the squad. He was quickly sat down after playing 5-6 minutes and more skilled players would have to quickly step up. Give Russ those 5-6 minutes and quickly sit him.
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That’s a good idea, @therealhtj. I honestly think we are beginning to see the end of Russ’s career in the league at the end of his current contract unless he takes a significant pay cut. But, yeah, I like your idea, out of respect for his hall of fame career. Think of Melo as an example.
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ESPN Sources: There’s an increasing push among many in the Lakers organization to demote nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook from the starting lineup, but so far coach Frank Vogel has resisted bringing him off the bench: https://t.co/2CyO729oZW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 6, 2022
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LakerTom wrote a new post
While the chances the Los Angeles Lakers would trade their entire superstar big three are slim and none, it’s intriguing to consider what the purple and gold could get for Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James.
While there’s little question the Lakers will attempt to trade Westbrook and his $47 million expiring contract this summer, the idea of Los Angeles also trading LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be an extreme makeover. Although it’s been a tough last two seasons, trading a James and Davis duo that dominated every round of the playoffs and won their 17th NBA championship in the bubble less than 18 months ago would be stupid.
While the odds of a Lakers’ total rebuild seem remote, trading James and Davis would have to be motivated on expectation the 37-year old James and injury prone Davis are no longer good enough to win another championship. Hence, the smart move is to trade them while their value is still high enough to bring back not only younger potential stars and role players to enable the Lakers to avoid a complete overhaul and still compete for a title.
While Russ is the sure superstar the Lakers will trade, let’s look at what L.A. could conceivably receive for trading Russell Westbrook, then LeBron James, and finally Anthony Davis in an extreme makeover this summer.
1. Proposed Russell Westbrook Trade
The one superstar the Lakers do have to trade is Westbrook, whose $47 million expiring contract should finally become a valuable trading chip. The key is finding a trade partner looking to reduce long-term commitments.
The Pacers should be one of the Lakers’ possible trading partners as they have two players in Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield whose multi-year contracts they would like to move on from and who’d be Lakers upgrades. The salary dump trade that makes sense for the Lakers and Pacers is Russell Westbrook’s $47.1 million expiring contract for Malcolm Brogdon’s 3-year $67 million contract and Buddy Hield’s 2-year $40 million contract.
What’s great about this trade is it works whether the Lakers plan to trade Anthony Davis and/or LeBron James. If the Lakers do plan to trade either of them, they will need to expand this trade to include Pacers’ Myles Turner. The perfect solution for the Lakers would like to expand the Westbrook for Brogdon and Hield trade to include Horton-Tucker, Nunn, and the Lakers’ unprotected 2027 first round pick in return for Pacers center Myles Turner.
The expanded Westbrook trade would not only give the Lakers an elite stretch five shot-blocking center in Turner to replace Davis but also two high quality starters or backups in Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield.
2. Proposed LeBron James Trade
If the Lakers were able to get the Pacers to trade Turner, Brogdon, and Hield for Russ, THT, Nunn, and the 2027 pick, they might be smart to stop there. Those three new starters are a perfect fit with LeBron James and AD.
A starting lineup of Brogdon, Hield, James, Davis, and Turner would solve the Lakers’ issues with size and give them the versatility to play small with Davis or James at five or go with two-bigs with Turner at five and Davis at four. Here’s where the Lakers’ worries about 37-year old LeBron James’ physical decline and his and Anthony Davis’ tendency to get injured become factors. The question is can LeBron and AD still lead the Lakers to championships?
LeBron at 37-years old is already starting to show signs of physical decline and more frequent and serious injuries. If the Lakers do not believe they can still win a title with LeBron, they should look to trade him and keep AD. Anthony Davis at 28-years old is still a top ten player and trading LeBron back to Cleveland for Sexton, Markkanen, and Okoro would give the Lakers two legitimate NBA starters along with a elite defensive role player.
The key to the James trade for the Lakers is Sexton and two first round draft picks to replenish their trade assets stockpile. The Lakers see Sexton as one of the team’s new young stars to replace LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
3. Proposed Anthony Davis Trade
After trading Westbrook and James, the Lakers have two options. They could stand pat by adding Turner, Sexton, Brogdon, Hield, Markkanen, and Okoro to complement Anthony Davis or take the final step and trade AD.
Trading LeBron James may have made trading Anthony Davis a necessity due to Klutch Sports. Anthony Davis may demand to be traded if LeBron is traded. Trading LeBron and AD would sever the alliance with Klutch Sports. The trade would be Anthony Davis to Boston for Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, giving the Lakers a second young star in Brown to pair with Sexton as the team’s future star duo to replace LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
While the Lakers lose AD, they receive two proven All-Star 3&D starters in return in Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown. Smart is the lock-down defensive guard and Brown the All-Star defender and elite scorer the Lakers need. Today’s NBA is a guard and wing driven league and, like the Westbrook and James trades, the Davis trade helps the Lakers become a better, deeper, and younger team that should have a decades long championship window.
Trading Anthony Davis would signal the end of the Lakers/Klutch alliance and LeBron’s 4-year stint with the purple and gold. But the trade would also be the piece de resistance of a dramatic Lakers’ extreme makeover.
4. Roster After Trading Superstar Big Three
The above Westbrook, Davis, and James trades would give give the Lakers eight new players: Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and Isaac Okoro.
Five of those eight new players would be projected as starters, including Collin Sexton, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Lauri Markkanen, and Myles Turner. Brogdon, Hield, and Okoro would become backups to the starters. The Lakers would also bring back four players from this year’s team: Carmelo Anthony, Austin, Reaves, and Stanley Johnson. That would leave three rosters spots open for free agents and players from the NBA Draft.
The new Lakers roster would be extremely talented and deep at both guard and small forward positions with three All-Star starters in Sexton, Smart, and Brown and three starter quality backups in Brogdon, Hield, and Okoro. While Turner gives the Lakers a shot-blocking stretch five center, they also need to use empty roster spots and even a trade of a valued guard like Hield to upgrade their front court with a power forward like Christian Wood.
There’s no question the Lakers should be able to find trading partners for all three of their superstars should they decide to undergo an extreme makeover. The resulting roster could be good enough to be a contender. However, we’ve all seen how teams constructed on paper often don’t translate on the hardwood. It’s easy to see from above that there are logical stopping points for the Lakers after trading Russ and then LeBron.
The Lakers will try to trade Westbrook and explore what they might be able to get for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But there are scenarios where the dominos line up and the Lakers trade all three of their superstars.
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The expanded Westbrook trade would not only give the Lakers an elite stretch five shot-blocking center in Turner to replace Davis but also two high quality starters or backups in Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield.https://t.co/epzes24p8l pic.twitter.com/6oaIo8xpyE
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) March 2, 2022
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The key to the James trade for the Lakers is Sexton and two first round draft picks to replenish their trade assets stockpile. The Lakers see Sexton as one of the team’s new young stars to replace LeBron James and Anthony Davis.https://t.co/epzes24p8l pic.twitter.com/gSc8uto2eH
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) March 2, 2022
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The trade would be Anthony Davis to Boston for Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, giving the Lakers a second young star in Brown to pair with Sexton as the team’s future star duo to replace LeBron James and Anthony Davis.https://t.co/epzes24p8l pic.twitter.com/9taHPmPdWN
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) March 2, 2022
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Five of those eight new players would be projected as starters, including Collin Sexton, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Lauri Markkanen, and Myles Turner. Brogdon, Hield, and Okoro would become backups to the starters.https://t.co/epzes24p8l pic.twitter.com/0P9YunVSKP
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) March 2, 2022
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Ya’ll have to pay me to watch that team. No possible way a Chip. We are stuck unless we get KAT for AD and nearly anyone for Russ. Ya won’t find many LA peeps that will watch without a Super. Not sure how we go from West and Baylor to Kareem and Maigc to Kobe and Shaq and Pau to LeBron to plain ol?
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Sexton (23) and Brown (25) are young guards who will be the core of the Lakers future if they decide to build a championship roster organically.
What you’re missing is the net of two more draft picks and the collection of talented players on tradeable contracts. Trading the big three not only gets you two young studs but also the players and picks to compete when the next legitimate superstar comes on the market. Right now, we have zip trading chips and two superstars on rapid decline.
I’m not saying I would trade LeBron and/or AD but I do think there are pathways where you end up with a pretty damn good collection of talent that could be championship caliber faster and longer than sticking with LeBron and AD.
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I am with you, DJ. It is hard for me to say it, but I truly put the loss of this season on AD’s lack of availability. It is happening in the same way as last season.
After the team treaded water while he was injured for most of the season, he came back and we were leading the Suns 2-1 in the playoffs before he went down again and our season went down in flames.
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Trade Russ, LeBron, and Anthony or just Russ?
What do you think?In the end, I would stop after the Russ trade. I think that team would be pretty damn good. And able to pay super big or super small. Versatile and dangerous.
Hard to predict what you could get for Russ, LeBron, and AD but I might not be willing to trade all three but if the Lakers could get the players in my trades, that would be a great young roster that could win a lot of games and be a contender for a decade.
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No way the Pacers will throw Turner into a trade. If one followed the NBA chatter the Pacers were looking to break Sabonis and Turner up. Not trade them both. Turner got hurt and they were able to get Halliburton for Sabonis. Turner is only 25 and creates a nice young core with Halaburtan and Duarte. When Pincus mentioned trading Russ and 2 first rounders for Buddy and Brogdon, Turner was not part of theat conversation. You just threw him in because you like him. The Pacer will not just toss in Turner just because Laker fans would love it.
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Maybe, maybe not. They’re still not sure how much of a rebuild they want. They might have traded Myles too had he not gotten injured.
Anyway, THT, Nunn, and the two picks are essentially trading chips to be used to get a new front court. I would go after centers like Turner and Wood and 3&D power forwards like Redding and Grant so we can play small or big.
If Pacers wouldn’t accept what we have for Turner, then I would move on Christian Wood. We need a stretch five center who can protect the rim. And we should end up with two more picks via the LeBron trade.
Aso I never claimed any of the trades proposed were anybody’s ideas other than my own. Nor was I trying to claim credit for anybody’s previously proposed trades. I may have stolen ideas from others but the deals I proposed was all mine. Not sure what the problem is.All these ideas were just proposed trades to see if what the Lakers might be able to get for Russ, LeBron, and AD. Not predicting any specific trade. Just trying to illustrate a point, which is you could build a pretty good young roster by trading Russ, LeBron, and AD;
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No problem, other than the amount of return you think you can get on that trade.
It’s funny, I purposed trades myself in a post. And here is your comment.“The only problem with that is the same you always have with trades. Not going to happen. I can’t envision a scenario where the Lakers trade LeBron and AD.”
Just thought it’s interesting change of heart.
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Aloha, Michael,
That was right after the initial scares that Lakers and Kutch were fighting.
I still don’t think the Lakers will trade LeBron or AD, especially now that the two sides have met and hopefully buried the hatchet.
The purpose of the article was to see what kinds of players they might be able to get in best scenario.
There’s an argument to be made to trade all three and just Russ and LeBron. But only Russ is probably the smartest move right now for the Lakers.
Truth is we don’t know what the next two years of LeBron is going to look like although we’ve had some scary possible previews with the injuries slowing LeBron down. Still think the best and only bet we have for a title the next two years would be to keep LeBron and AD.
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They’re not going to trade LBJ unless he back channel demands it. I think that could happen, honestly. Depending on how a Russ trade goes or what they choose to do with Frank in terms of who replaces him. Also, if AD is on the block (which i think is just fan fiction fun right now, not legit) that would also mean that, on some level, LBJ doesn’t believe he can stay on the floor ad help his cause.
When this season finally, mercifully, concludes it will be interesting to see how quickly the Lakers move. If you’re going to fire Rob best to do it prior to the end of the season so your new front office can hit he ground running right away and not burn a month or so getting up to organizational speed.
That fact that Rob still has a job means that he’s likely to stay employed for at least one more season (his last under his current contract) and the Lakers will give him another shot at reaching the highest branch.
I want to guarantee they’ll fire frank but I can also see a world where James and Davis assure Rob and Jeannie Frank wasn’t the problem, that trading away Rondo was a bad idea (it was, no coincidence we got even worse after that) and that they should bring the band back together (hopefully sans Russ but no guarantee from me on that one, either). This would be my personal doomsday scenario.
Realistically I think we just move on from Russ and Frank. AD and LBJ get healthy and we cross our fingers regarding luck one more time.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Less than a year and a half after winning their 17th NBA championship, the Lakers are finally entering what amounts to the end-game of the LeBron James era as the King only has one year remaining on his contract.
As their championship hopes fade to reality, the Lakers appear to be destined at best to be a play-in team this season, making it two straight years of poor roster construction and extensive injuries to their superstars. But the challenges facing the Lakers this offseason are going to determine whether the franchise can regain its footing as a legitimate championship contender or whether they will be forced into some form of a rebuild.
Heading into the final third of this disappointing season, here are the five major franchise-defining questions the Los Angeles Lakers must answer as the team enters into the end-game of the LeBron James era.
1. Can LeBron James Still Carry the Los Angeles Lakers to Title?
When you look at the stats for the Lakers this season, what jumps out other than the disappointing 27–33 record is LeBron James’ negative net rating for the season. The Lakers are actually losing the minutes LeBron James plays.
LeBron James’ 109.7 offensive rating less his 111.4 defensive rating give him a -1.7 net rating for this season, which is the first time in 18 seasons he’s had a negative net rating since a -2.0 net rating in his 2003–04 rookie season. Winning the LeBron minutes has never been the Lakers problem until this year. Last year, LeBron’s net rating was +9.2 and the year before +8.5. The Last five games, LeBron’s net rating has been a -10.2, 12th on the Lakers.
Other than the heroic fourth quarter in the Utah Jazz win, LeBron James has struggled by his standard over the last five games, posting 28.4/9.4/5.4 but shooting just 48.7/32.4/80.0% and averaging a Westbrookish 5.2 turnovers. Assuming Davis is out for next 12 to 18 games, the Lakers need to be careful not to overwork LeBron and risk him suffering a major injury like happened to Kobe Bryant. Truth is LeBron James needs to rest the knee now.
The Lakers should seriously consider shutting down LeBron for a week or two rather than risking him getting injured. The remote chance the Lakers could win #18 this season is not worth risking the health of LeBron James.
2. Should the Lakers Continue the Close Alliance with Klutch Sports?
Fortunately, I believe any question about the future of the relationship between the Lakers and Klutch Sports has been already been addressed by LeBron James and Rich Paul meeting with Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss.
The next step would be confirmation from Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss that the Lakers/Klutch alliance was in good standing and they’re looking forward to making moves this summer to rebuild roster to championship level. Getting LeBron to sign an extension will require the Lakers to be willing to trade first round picks, take back players with multiple-year contracts, and pay whatever luxury taxes it takes to compete and win NBA championships.
There’s always will be some friction between LeBron James and whatever team he plays for because they often have different agendas, usually LeBron in total win-now mode and the team not wanting to sacrifice their future. Franky, it’s telling the news about LeBron and Rich meeting with Rob and Jeanie all came from Klutch Sports rather than from the Lakers. LeBron and Rich smartly understanding they can’t push the Lakers like other teams.
The close alliance with Klutch Sport has been a big advantage for the Lakers over other NBA teams. Klutch delivered a message but so did the Lakers. The Lakers/Klutch alliance should continue even after LeBron James retires.
3. Is Anthony Davis Still Right Superstar to Take Baton from LeBron?
Just 18 months ago, we were talking about AD taking the baton from LeBron as the Lakers’ best player. If a Davis injury ends a second straight Lakers season, the discussion about AD may be whether to trade him.
Now that it looks like Davis will have just 6 to 9 regular season games left after returning from injury to get ready for the playoffs, the Lakers should hope for a replay of the bubble, where AD had only 8 regular season games. While the Lakers/Klutch breakup story was hot, everyone talked about what a haul the Lakers could get trading LeBron and AD. The true value of both these players is elite. They’re generational. You don’t trade them away.
But we can’t ignore the how injuries to LeBron and AD have hurt the team. For LeBron, it’s Father Time and personal load management limiting him. Before this injury, AD was getting back to playing like the bubble AD. Part of the decision of whom the Lakers pursue to replace LeBron will depend on how well Anthony Davis plays the rest of this season and next. Injury worry could impact how the Lakers use AD but he’s still LeBron’s heir apparent.
We’re not yet at the point of figuring out how to position to draft Bronny or how exactly Giannis will replace LeBron on the Lakers but for now Anthony Davis, for at least next year, will be the Lakers’ future alpha star.
4. Should Lakers Rethink Their Total Commitment to Small Ball?
While the Lakers won their 17th championship playing small with James at the four and Davis the five, they should rethink committing entirely to small ball going forward to save wear-and-tear on LeBron and AD.
While AD may be the best small ball five and LeBron the best small ball four, having an injury prone center and overworked 37-year old power forward playing the two most physical lineup positions might not be so smart. With Davis out for four to five more weeks, the Lakers need to play Dwight Howard at the five more to avoid burning out or injuring LeBron James at the five. That’s a strategy the Lakers should adopting next season.
The problem with the Lakers playing small is the lack of a third 3&D front court player to complement James and Davis, either a small forward who can guard big wings or stretch four or five who can protect the rim. The best solution could be to go big and trade for a stretch center like Myles Turner or Christian Wood, who would allow the Lakers to play five-out small ball on offense but with the size to protect the rim on defense.
Having a modern stretch five center like Turner or Wood would make the Lakers more versatile and dangerous in the playoff and reduce the banging and physicality that could wear down LeBron or AD and lead to their injury.
5. What Should the Lakers Be Looking for in Next Head Coach?
There’s a consensus in the media that Frank Vogel will not return as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Short of a miraculous postseason finish by the Lakers, this year will probably be Vogel’s last as the Lakers’ head coach.
Firing Vogel raises the question of what should the Lakers be looking for in their next head coach. They need a coach who knows the game at a high level and whom superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis will respect. Ultimately, it would also help if the next head coach had played for or had a connection to the Lakers as that would make it easier to hire him and having played in the league is often an advantage when coaching players.
The Lakers should avoid bringing in another recycled coach like David Fizdale. Ideally, they should look to make a bold hire like the Brooklyn Nets did with Steve Nash and consider Rajon Rondo as the Lakers’ next head coach. Rondo is not only one of the smartest players who ever put on an NBA jersey but also a fiery competitor who knows the Lakers’ front office and has played with LeBron and AD and many of the players on the team.
The Lakers would need to supplement Rondo’s staff with proven former head coaches but by choosing someone with his background and potential, the Lakers could make a quick, smooth transition from Frank Vogel.
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5 Questions Could Change Lakers’ Future:
1. Can LeBron Still Carry Lakers?
2. Should Lakers Continue Klutch Alliance?
3. Is AD Superstar to Take Baton from LeBron?
4. Should Lakers Rethink Small Ball Only?
5. What Should Lakers Want in New Head Coach?https://t.co/Q1F8I69sGc— LakerTom (@LakerTom) February 28, 2022
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Rondo as the Lakers coach would be very interesting. I am very intrigued by that idea. Sounds like something to go for.
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Thanks, Buba. Has to be a move that LeBron and AD would accept and with somebody who knows spacing and offense as well as defense. Not many option but I like what the Nets did with Nash. Lakers should do same with Rondo.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
The Lakers will be under intense pressure to win games the rest of this season and transform their flawed roster into a deeper, more balanced and talented team this summer to convince LeBron James to sign an extension.
LeBron James will become eligible to sign a 2-year extension with the Lakers on August 4th. The Lakers need to do everything in their power before then to win enough games and improve their roster to get LeBron to re-sign. While the Lakers didn’t have the chips to make a big move at the trade deadline, they’ll be able to offer their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks and Russell Westbrook’s $47 million contract will now be expiring.
There’s also been a rash of articles in the media and blogs about the Lakers wanting to distance themselves from Klutch Sports. While the organizations have many common goals, their motives have not always been fully aligned. Nevertheless, the partnership has resulted in the Lakers getting superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis and winning the team’s 17th NBA championship in the bubble, proof of the benefits of the Klutch alliance.
The Los Angeles Lakers/Klutch Sports alliance has been a huge edge for the Lakers over other NBA teams. While it can be an unwieldy partnership at times requiring compromise, it’s an advantage no other NBA team has. That’s not something you throw away or risk losing. Nothing wrong with wanting to renegotiate issues but keeping communications open and working to refine and make the partnership even better is smart.
So what do the Lakers have to do to convince LeBron James to sign a two-year extension to continue wearing the purple and gold? Here are the four key things the Lakers must accomplish to get LeBron to sign an extension:
1. Mend Fences with Klutch Sports and Agree on Offseason Plan
Nobody knows who or how the Lakers front office makes decisions. Most observers see the team run by a cadre of four individuals: team governor Jeanie Buss, VPBO Rob Pelinka, and advisors Kurt and Linda Rambis.
What’s missing are the dominant voices the Lakers had when Jerry Buss was managing owner and Jerry West GM. Instead, Lakers now make decisions via mutual collaboration and consensus rather than decisive executive edict. One of the reasons the collaborative approach has worked for the Lakers has been their close alliance with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, the agency that coincidentally represents both LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
From LeBron’s free agency signing to Anthony Davis forced trade, there’s a valid argument Rich Paul and, by extension LeBron James, have been the true general managers behind the L.A. Lakers’ 17th NBA championship. While there are situations where what’s best for the team and a player may not align, there’s no question signing LeBron James as a free agent and then forcing a trade for Anthony Davis were gifts to the Lakers by Klutch Sports.
Rob Pelinka and Rich Paul need to sit down together and get back on the same page because the LeBron James and Anthony Davis pairing is still the genius move that raised the bar and ceiling for both the Lakers and Klutch. They need to share intelligence and work together to figure out how best to resolve the Russell Westbrook situation, keep the players who have proven they belong, and how to upgrade the starting lineup and overall rotations.
The Lakers/Klutch Sports alliance has been a major success for both the NBA team and the player agency. The Lakers need to do what’s necessary to mend the fences and keep Klutch Sports as an exclusive weapon.
2. Finish Regular Season Strong and Show Up Big in Playoffs
The Lakers have 24 games remaining in the regular season. They are currently 9th in the West with a 27–31 record. To compete for 6th seed and avoid the play-in, the Lakers need to win 75% of the rest of their games.
That would mean going 18–6 with a good chance neither Anthony Davis or Kendrick Nunn will be available until the last 6 to 12 games. Realistically, the Lakers will be hard pressed to avoid being in the play-in tournament. While participating in the play-in tourney would create a gauntlet the Lakers would have to survive to win the championship, the silver lining is they always have a chance with a healthy and motivated James and Davis.
The Lakers have finally elevated their play over the last few games, almost defeating the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco and coming from behind after losing Anthony Davis to injury to smack down the Utah Jazz. Hopefully, they’ll come back refreshed after the All-Star break ready to make a stretch run despite missing their superstar center. While they probably can’t go 18–6 over the last 24, the goal should be at least 15–9.
As for the playoffs, here’s where it gets interesting, if the Laker finish 7th or 8th, they can win the #7 or #8 seed. If the finish 9th or 10th, they can only win the #8 seed. Ideally, the Lakers want the #7 seed to face the Warriors. Because of matchups, the last team the Warriors want to play in the first round of the playoffs is the Lakers with healthy superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Lakers could upset Warriors and win first round battle.
Who knows, maybe the Lakers take down the Grizzlies in round two and the Suns to get to the Finals and we have a Hollywood ending to the story. Showing up in the playoffs, however, could be key to keeping LeBron.
3. Bring Back Role Players Monk, Anthony, Reaves, Johnson, and Nunn
One of the underappreciated aspects of this season has been the emergence of five talented role players who should be part of the Lakers’ roster next season, hopefully providing some long needed continuity and consistency.
This season, the Lakers brought back just three players from the previous season: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Talen Horton-Tucker. The expected lack of continuity was exacerbated by injuries and poor lineups. Even if they trade Horton-Tucker, who’s not a great fit next, and Russ, the Lakers still have five quality role players in Malik Monk, Carmelo Anthony, Austin Reaves, Stanley .Johnson, and Kendrick Nunn.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis plus the five proven role players listed above would give the Lakers’ roster for next season seven returning players, which is almost half of the fifteen active players on their roster. The Lakers need to use Russ’ $47 million expiring contract and THT’s $10 million contract and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks to trade for three quality starters to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Of the five role players, Malik Monk is the one the Lakers are most at risk of losing because the most they can offer him is the taxpayer $6.2 million MLE, while there could be teams willing to offer him the full $10 million MLE. Reaves is under contract, Nunn has a player option, Johnson a team option, and Anthony likely to want to run it back. So with luck, the Lakers might be able to keep the best of this year’s team for better continuity next season.
Bringing back players whom LeBron likes and respects is just as important as bringing in new players who solve needs that cost us wins. Monk, Anthony, Reaves, Johnson, and Nunn would give the Lakers a great bench.
4. Trade for Third Superstar or Three Elite Two-Way Starters
The most important thing the Lakers can do to get LeBron to sign an extension this summer is trade Westbrook, THT, and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks for a third superstar or three quality starters.
How successful the Lakers are in trading Russ and his $47 million expiring contract, Horton-Tucker, and picks for that elusive third superstar —like Lillard or Beal — could determine whether LeBron stays or forces a trade. While it’s a long shot that the Lakers could turn Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, and two first round picks into a third superstar or three elite starters, there are fortunately pathways Pelinka can take to accomplish both goals.
Landing a legitimate third superstar to complement James and Davis would likely require a loyal superstar like Lillard or Beal requesting the Blazers or the Wizards to trade him to the Lakers, which is not very likely to happen. But trading for three potential starters who would be major upgrades over the current starters is something Rob could accomplish using Russ’ $47 million expiring contract and the Lakers’ two first round draft picks.
The key is the Lakers’ willingness to trade Russ’ expiring contract for two or three players with multiple-year deals. The Pacers, for example, might take Russ’ expiring contract to dump Brogdon’s and Hield‘s long-term contracts. While they would be getting Russ’ $47 million expiring contract, they would also be avoiding the over $100 million total salary owed to the other two. The real value of expiring contracts is helping other teams clear cap space.
Turning Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks into three quality 3&D starters would be the kind of offseason Rob Pelinka needs to have to convince LeBron James to sign an extension.
What this entire situation has come down to is a battle for positioning on what the end of the LeBron as a Laker era is going to look like. Will it end with the Lakers paying max salaries to a diminished superstar like Kobe? The win-now Lakers just don’t want the LeBron era to end like it did the two times he left Cleveland , where the team was left with zero cap space and too many overpaid veteran role players on long-term contracts.
In the end, its LeBron versus Jeanie in that Klutch want the Lakers to go all-in to win another championship, which today means trading draft picks, taking back long-term contracts, and be willing to pay mega luxury taxes. These are points Lakers’ media and fans have been screaming about for years. The rules of how you win in the NBA have changed and the Lakers need to recommit to doing whatever is needed to win championships.
Lakers need to mend fences with Klutch, finish season strong and have good run in the playoffs, bring back their five elite role players, and trade Russ’ expiring contract and picks for a third superstar or three starters.
That’s how the Los Angeles Lakers get LeBron James to sign an extension.
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What Can Lakers Do To Get LeBron to Extend Contract?
1. Mend Fences with Klutch & Agree on Offseason Plan
2. Finish Regular Season Strong & Show Big in Playoffs
3. Bring Back Monk, Melo, Reaves, Johnson, & Nunn
4. Trade for 3rd Superstar or 3 Startershttps://t.co/9qM3V4k7Xw— LakerTom (@LakerTom) February 23, 2022
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Two disappointing injury-plagued seasons where the front office failed to make moves to improve the team at the trade deadline have now morphed into a crisis that could result in LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.
For a team that won its 17th NBA championship just 17 month ago, how the landscape has changed is stunning. How the Lakers respond and play the rest of this season could be critical to what finally happens this summer. Maybe is just posturing as usual and LeBron is just putting the normal pressure on the Lakers to be prepared to make major moves and spend lavishly this summer to build a legitimate championship team to keep him.
Or maybe what we’re seeing is the next step in evolution of player freedom as LeBron James charts a dramatic return back to Cleveland or minimum contract signing as a free agent to play for team that drafts his son Bronny. Bronny will eligible to be drafted by an NBA team the summer of 2024 while LeBron’s contract with the Lakers ends the summer of 2023, meaning next season could be LeBron James’ final year wearing the purple and gold.
This summer was going to be huge for the Lakers before LeBron turned it into the summer that will determine the future of the franchise. Here are four possible paths for LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.
1. LeBron Signs Extension and Guarantees Lakers Two Years
LeBron signing a 1+1 extension is the best solution as it guarantees the Lakers at least 2 more years of the King while setting up a 39-year old James to join another NBA team and enjoy his dream of playing with his son.
This would certainly be the Kumbaya solution as it would signal at least a temporary peace and alignment between the Los Angeles Lakers and Klutch Sports and a recommitment to win championships with LeBron and AD. It’s also the smartest option for both sides, who know injuries have been the real culprits who derailed the Lakers/Klutch championship quest. A heathy, rested, and engaged LeBron James and Anthony Davis is unbeatable.
James agreeing to an extension to be a Laker through 2024 with option to be a free agent the summer his son Bronny is likely to be drafted by an NBA team would be the idea solution for the Lakers and Klutch this summer.
2. LeBron Refuses Extension and Lakers Gamble to Keep Him
LeBron refusing to sign an extension and threatening to leave as a free agent after next season could force the Lakers to pursue a blockbuster trade this summer to replace Russell Westbrook with a legitimate third superstar.
While the Lakers’ assets were underwhelming at the trade deadline, they should be appreciably better this summer when the Lakers will be able to offer two first round picks and Westbrook will become an expiring contract. Whether that would be enough to trade for a legit third superstar like Dame or Beal is uncertain as is the question of whether it would be smarter to swap Russ, the picks, and filler for three elite starters and a deeper bench.
LeBron may opt to keep his options after next season open and apply maximum pressure on the Lakers to make moves and spend money this summer to build a championship team or risk losing him to free agency.
3. LeBron Refuses Extension and Lakers Look to Trade Him
The Lakers’ other option should LeBron refuse to sign an extension would be to trade James this summer to avoid losing him for nothing the following summer. Trading LeBron could end up being a savvy move by the Lakers.
Even though he’s 37-years old, there’s no question LeBron James would bring back a huge package of talent and picks. Would the Cavs give up Collin Sexton, Jarrett Allen, Kevin Love, and two first rounders for LeBron? Could the Lakers choreograph a LeBron trade that netted them another top ten player and a pair of elite starters plus picks for the future. It would not have to be a rebuild. The Lakers could still remain a legitimate contender.
While trading LeBron could yield a huge haul, LeBron is irreplaceable for the Lakers, which is why Los Angeles needs to look at every possible option to convince LeBron James to stay, including drafting Bronny James.
4. Lakers Breakup with Klutch and Also Trade Anthony Davis
To the competition, the partnership between the LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers and Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports is an unholy alliance with the devil, something the league should be investigating and somehow outlawing.
The past two seasons have been plagued by injuries to both James and Davis, reminding everybody LeBron is now 37-years old and Anthony has missed more games than he’s played during the last two Lakers’ seasons. Maybe it’s buyer’s remorse for agreeing to their superstars request to trade for Russ, or the pressure last year to not trade THT for Lowry or pressure this year to trade Russ and the pick to Rockets for Klutch client John Wall?
At any rate, one very possible fallout from the collapse of the alliance between the Los Angeles Lakers and Klutch Sports could be a request from Rich Paul for the Lakers to trade both LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
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Four Possible Paths for LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers This Summer:
1. LeBron Signs Extension to 2024.
2. No Extension but Lakers Gamble to Keep LeBron
3. No Extension and Lakers Look to Trade LeBron
4. Lakers Breakup with Klutch and Also Trade ADhttps://t.co/CXIrRIySxR— LakerTom (@LakerTom) February 20, 2022
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What scares me about the Lakers/Klutch alliance ending is the idea of Rob Pelinka calling all the shots going forward.
I don't trust Rob without Klutch guiding him. Lakers need to preserve alliance. It's more than LeBron. Klutch is big Lakers advantage.https://t.co/CXIrRIhh9h
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) February 20, 2022
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I find it interesting that the front office wants Russ to come off the bench but it’s Vogel who doesn’t want to make that move, primarily because he thinks Russ could be a big positive factor down the stretch and in the playoffs.
Is there anything to be gained by playing Russ off the bench? Were AD healthy and playing, I would say there’s a lot to gain by moving Russ to the bench, including an upgraded starting lineup with enough shooting and defense to complement LeBron and AD. So hard to fill all the holes when there are only 2 other starters.
Lot depends on Russ. He had a relatively ‘good’ game last night, although more turnovers than assists again. It’s still the chaos and lack of effort defensively at times that destroys chemistry when he misses layups and turns the ball over.