Lakerholics

The Lakers #1 priority should be to trade for Dejounte Murray right now even if it costs them multiple picks and swaps and a young star like Austin Reaves rather than saving picks to trade for Trae Young next summer.

Frankly, talk of the Lakers not trading their one available first round pick before the February 8 deadline so they could offer three first round picks for a superstar next summer is probably just posturing by Los Angeles.
The Lakers do not want to tie up their salary cap and roster flexibility by trading for a third superstar making over $40 million per year who can’t play defense and leaves the team unable to build a championship roster.

What the Lakers want is to find a potential superstar guard who’s stuck in a situation where he cannot be the best version of himself, a player who has the upside to be a superstar but is still on an affordable, tradable contract.
Specifically, the Los Angeles Lakers want to trade for an impact player who can immediately make them a dramatically better team, like Tyrese Haliburton did for the Pacers or O.G. Anunoby for the New York Knicks.

Watching Dejounte Murray dominate and lead the Hawks to an impressive blowout win, there’s no longer any question whether Dejounte Murray is the right fit for what the Lakers need to become legitimate contenders.

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The Lakers appear now to be laser focused on trading for Hawks’ Dejounte Murray, whom they believe can return to being an all-star and all defensive NBA player once freed from playing next to ball dominant Trae Young.

Dejounte Murray’s unique blend of speed and athleticism, shooting and playmaking, offense and defense, and age and contract are a better fit to play with LeBron James and Anthony Davis than superstar Trae Young.
At 27-years old and capable of playing at a star level at both ends of the court, Murray is much better fit on the Lakers than Young, who would be L.A.’s logical target next summer if they ultimately pass on Dejounte.

The Lakers envision Dejounte Murray as the elite point-of-attack defender they need to anchor their perimeter defense, a bigger and better version of Dennis Schroder who also can be an All-Star scorer and offensive player.
Murray dissected the Lakers defense as he dominated his Lakers’ audition, using his great speed and athleticism to beat his defender to spots where he could easily elevate and sink wide-open 10-foot jumpers to close out game.

The Lakers have committed to a roster building philosophy that focuses on acquiring and developing talented young players who have not lived up to their promise but could thrive if given the right opportunity with L.A.

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Dejounte Murray is the right candidate for the Lakers to invest in as their two-way point guard of the future. Still only 27, Dejounte has the raw speed and athleticism and elite shooting and playmaking to be a future star.

Right now, the Lakers are trying to get as much leverage as possible to avoid giving up Austin Reaves, which is why all the talk about saving the pick until next summer and possible trades with the Nets for 3&D wings.
The Lakers also know they must make a major move and that the time to make that move is now because this could be the Lakers and LeBron James’ final chance to win another NBA championship before the King retires.

Waiting until next summer is too late. If the Lakers don’t trade the pick and land Dejounte Murray, they seriously risk LeBron James deciding to decline his player option for next season and becoming an unrestricted free agent.
LeBron James walking away is the nuclear outcome Pelinka must avoid at all costs. While LeBron may no longer be able to dominate an entire series like he once could, he’s still a top-10 NBA player and the franchise face.

The Los Angeles Lakers have no choice but to go all-in on a blockbuster trade for the Hawks’ Dejounte Murray to become their point guard of the future, even if it costs multiple picks and swaps and Austin Reaves.

Rather than trading D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers would be smart to instead keep, re-sign, and slot him to be the team’s starting shooting guard next to Dejounte Murray to solve the Lakers negative 3-point shooting differential.

D’Angelo Russell’s transformation into a legitimate third star and volume 3-point shooter in the 7 games since he won back his starting point guard role should make the Lakers seriously reconsider the idea of trading him.
Frankly, it’s ludicrous to think a Lakers team desperately in need of a lethal volume 3-point shooter to offset their 10 points per game negative 3-point shooting differential would consider trading away exactly what they covet.

Russell has not only shown the Lakers he can generate the higher number of 3-point shot attempts needed to become a legitimate volume 3-point shooter but also that he can make those shots at a very high percentage.
For 7 games, D’Angelo averaged a team best 4.9 3PM out of a team best 9.1 3PA, helping the Lakers average 12.7 3PM (18th) during the 7 games, a big increase over their average of just 11.2 3PM (28th) for the full season.

The concern about a Murray and Russell backcourt would be the same that apparently doomed the Young and Murray backcourt, not enough touches, shots, or opportunities for two very ball dominant point guards to thrive.
The difference in my opinion is that Murray like Young needs the ball in his hands whereas Russell’s elite off-ball volume catch-and-shoot shot-making ability from deep is exactly what the Lakers have desperately needed.

Let’s take a look at why keeping D’Angelo Russell as the team’s starting shooting guard and pairing him in the backcourt with Dejounte Murray could be a pipe dream or nightmare depending on your point of view.

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How D’Angelo Russell Reinvented Himself

After losing his starting point guard job and going to the bench, Russell reconsidered his role and decided the best way to complement James and Davis was to aggressively play off of them rather than deferring to them.

The result was Russell upping his normal 13.1 FGA per game to 18.9 FGA per game during last 7 games, second to LeBron James 19.2 FGA per game. D’Angelo essentially showed Lakers what they could get from a third star.
Since returning to the starting lineup 7 games ago, D’Angelo Russell has averaged 27.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.0 blocks while shooting 53.8% from the field, 53.1% from deep, and 88.9% from the line.

Most importantly, Russell showed the Lakers during this 7-game stretch he could be the lethal high-volume 3-point shooter they’re desperately looking for to reduce their normal 10 points per game negative 3-point differential.
For 7 games, D’Angelo averaged a team best 4.9 3PM out of a team best 9.1 3PA, helping the Lakers average 12.7 3PM (18th) during the 7 games, a big increase over their average of just 11.2 3PM (28th) for the full season.

While it’s unreasonable to expect Russell to be able sustain this production, the Lakers cannot ignore how D’Angelo has elevated his game and how trading him could end up being a bigger mistake than letting Caruso walk. D’Angelo has a great rapport with LeBron, Anthony, Austin, and the rest of the Lakers roster and has handled his demotion and return to the bench with admirable class and professionalism. Trading him would be foolish.

D’Angelo Russell is the starting shooting guard and desperately needed high-volume 3-point specialist the Lakers need to keep and pair with new point guard Dejounte Murray in a modern Lakers’ backcourt of the future.

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Doubling Down On Chemistry and Continuity

The way teams build championship chemistry and continuity is by keeping their best players and selectively adding new candidates to that core until the roster has the talent, experience, character, and balance to win it all.

The smartest moves the Lakers can make is to keep the core from last year’s conference finals team and add one legitimate All-Star quality player and two elite role players to upgrade the roster to championship caliber.
The star the Lakers need to add is Dejounte Murray, who will become the team’s point guard of the future. Additionally, the Lakers need to add a second championship caliber big and another legitimate 3&D wing.

While the Lakers’ strategy was to trade Russell, other filler, and draft capital for Murray and a volume 3-point shooter like Bogdanovic, Russell taking and making more threes than Bogdan has changed everything.
Trading away a player who just showed you he can almost single-handedly reduce the team’s 10 points per game negative 3-point shooting differential in a search for some unproven 3-point shooting solution would be stupid.

While the Hawks want Reaves, the Lakers should hold firm. While some would like to see Austin start next to Dejounte, Reaves is better suited to come off bench as the Lakers’ Sixth Man. Russell should start at two guard.
The issues with Russell’s and Reaves’ values as players is partly due to the Lakers not slotting them in the correct roles with the complementary lineups. Both should be kept and optimized rather than lost like Caruso.

Ideally, the Lakers need to sit down with D’Angelo Russell and sell him on being the team’s starting shooting guard and 3-point specialist. Once they resolve that, they can proceed on trading for Murray and other tweaks.

While the Hawks and Bulls could optimize trading their stars by dragging the process out until February 8 trade deadline, fierce competition to be first could result in a blockbuster trade with the Lakers soon as Monday.

While the Hawks and Bulls would like to leverage the Lakers’ interest in Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine to improve the offers they receive from other teams, the Lakers are still both teams’ most coveted trade partner.
Rather than opting to drag out the process, there’s a excellent chance the Hawks and Bulls will instead both be looking to strike first and reach a quick deal with the Lakers to trade for Dejounte Murray or Zach LaVine.

The Lakers’ rumor mills are on full throttle. The Lakers and Hawks have been talking about a possible Murray trade while lack of interest may force the Bulls to treat LaVine like a salary dump to get L.A. to trade for him.
Adding spice to all the rumors and anticipation is the reality that both Dejounte and Zach have been playing like legitimate superstars, shooting lights out from beyond the arc, and using their athleticism to defend well.

There’s not a lot of mystery over what a Lakers’ trade for Murray or LaVine would look like. Everybody knows the Lakers desperately need a big trade and can see the players and draft capital comprising their trading chips. Waiting until the trade deadline is not really going to change anything.
What’s going to change the market dramatically is the Lakers making their move. Neither the Hawks or the Bulls want to be the team left at the altar.

Recent reports have both Dejounte Murray and D’Angelo Russell, the two players who would clearly be major parts of any Lakers and Hawks trade, being held out of last night’s game, which could indicate a trade is coming.

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LAKERS NEED TO MAKE TRADE RIGHT NOW

While the Lakers proved last season they could rally and make conference finals despite starting as a play-in rather than playoff team, they likely need bigger, better, and sooner trades than last season to win a championship.

The Lakers right now are not even a play-in team, ranking #11 in the West with a 19–21 record and facing the league leading Jazz on Monday night. The Lakers as a team are literally hanging on for life waiting for a trade.
The urgency is even greater this season than last season because James is a year older and this could literally be his last season in purple and gold and because James and Davis are both healthy and playing at an elite level.

Tomorrow, the Lakers must go all-in with their best offer for an expanded DeJounte Murray trade while advising the Hawks they aren’t going to wait and will pursue a Zach LaVine trade with the Chicago Bulls if they decline.
The Lakers need to let the Hawks and Bulls know they’re not willing to wait for the February 8 deadline to trade for Dejounte Murray or Zach LaVine. If Atlanta or Chicago are not ready to trade right now, then L.A. will move on.

While the Hawks have other potential suitors for Dejounte Murray, the Lakers represent their best opportunity to recoup some of the extensive draft capital they gave the Spurs when they traded for Dejounte Murray.
The Lakers have 12 games left before the deadline. If they lose 8 of those 12 games, which is possible, they would be 6 games under .500 at the deadline, which is 1 game worse than where they were at this point last season.

Last season, it made sense for Pelinka to patiently wait for the best trade deals. This season is different. The Lakers need help right now, not later, and they can’t count on another miraculous comeback this season.

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LAKERS NEED THREE NEW STARTERS

The Lakers need to surround James and Davis with three championship caliber starters, which Russell, Reaves, Vanderbilt, Reddish, Hachimura, and Prince are not. L.A. must consolidate depth into three new starters.

The good news is there are multiple options for the Los Angeles Lakers to revamp their starting lineup, including the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls as well as the Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, and Utah Jazz.
Starting this Monday, players who recently signed new contracts become eligible to be traded. For the Lakers, that means Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura will become eligible to be traded for the first time this season.

The Lakers and Hawks have discussed a possible Dejounte Murray trade, with Atlanta reportedly saying any Murray trade would have to include Austin Reaves and Lakers responding trade would have to be expanded.
The two possible Hawks players whom the Lakers might be interested in would be high volume 3-point shooting two guard Bogdan Bogdanovic and solid veteran defensive center Clint Capela. Trade appears to be possible.

While the Lakers waited until the deadline to make the Westbrook trade last season, everything seems to be pointing to L.A. wanting and needing to act more quickly this year to avoid needing another miraculous comeback.
Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office have been very careful to keep their actions and plans hidden but as recently signed players become eligible to be traded tomorrow, the odds of a mega Lakers trade are rising.

The Lakers appear to be finalizing a blockbuster trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic and/or Clint Capela for a package that includes Austin Reaves and L.A.’s 2029 first round pick.

The Lakers’ surprising and abysmal collapse after winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament has made it obvious L.A. needs to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with legitimate championship quality starters.

No disrespect to Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Can Reddish, Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura, or Jarred Vanderbilt. While they’re good backups and rotation players, they’re just not championship quality NBA starters.
While there are moves the Lakers could make to tweak or even upgrade positions with slightly better players, the harsh reality is those moves won’t change the overall dynamic and direction of this critical Lakers’ season.

The Lakers’ problem is they have simply failed to surround LeBron and AD with championship quality starters and that’s why the team is struggling right now to find a starting lineup and rotation that can consistently win.
That’s why nothing that head coach Darvin Ham tries changes anything. He simply does not have legitimate championship quality starters to play other than LeBron James and Anthony Davis and possibly Austin Reaves.

Part of the reason for that problem is the Lakers’ decision to focus on underperforming, modestly paid players under 30-years old whom they believed their coaching staff could grow and develop into better players. While that allowed them to build a deep and diverse bench, they would have been smarter to add proven, higher-paid veterans to their starting lineup because those players are the key to unleashing their superstars.

While the Lakers were smart to build a deep and diverse roster rather than using all their cap space on just 3 superstars, their mistake was failing to invest enough resources to surround James and Davis with quality starters.
Look at what the Celtics did to surround Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Los Angeles doesn’t have three players to surround their superstars who can match Boston’s Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, or Kristaps Porzingis

While salary and talent aren’t directly tied, teams usually get what they pay for. Boston starts their 5 highest paid players who combined earn $153.5 million per year, including 4 players who earn over $30 million per year.
While LeBron James and Anthony Davis earn $88.2 million per year, the other three Lakers’ starters only earn $18.6 million per year, bringing their total starting salary to 106.8 million per year, far less than the Celtics.

The only way the Lakers can save this season and have a chance at beating the Celtics to win their 18th NBA title is to pull of a series of blockbuster trades deadline moves to add at least two championship caliber starters.

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POINT GUARD CANDIDATES

The Lakers’ top priority in building a new starting lineup is finding a new starting point guard since D’Angelo Russell will be traded, Austin Reaves is best off the bench, and LeBron James can’t play the position full time.

Finding an upgrade for D’Angelo Russell will be the Lakers’ greatest challenge as they approach the trade deadline. While Russell played well offensively, neither his offense or defense was championship caliber.
The challenge is exacerbated by the Lakers desperate need to improve the starting lineup’s poor 3-point shooting and offensive rating while also upgrading the quality of the starters’ point-of-attack perimeter defense.

Frankly, the Lakers have struggled since signing LeBron James 4 years ago to acquire an elite point guard who could effectively take over the position. Here are the Lakers’ current top three candidates for starting point guard:

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Dejounte Murray, whom the Hawks traded for and extended 2 years ago and are looking to trade because he’s not the right fit with Trae Young, should be the Lakers’ #1 candidate to be their future starting point guard.

• Dejounte Murray, 27, 6′ 5″, 180 lbs, $18.2M, 1-yr, Ext $25.5M, 4-yrs
  20.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 5.1 ast, 0.3 blk, 1.4 stl in 34.5 mpg

Marcus Smart, former DPOY and elite point-of-attack perimeter defender whom the Celtics traded to the Grizzlies to get Kristaps Porzingis, should be the Lakers’ #2 candidate as their two-way point guard of the future.

• Marcus Smart, 29, 6′ 3″, 220 lbs, $18.8M, 3-yrs
  13.4 pts, 2.4 reb, 4.3 ast, 0.3 blk, 2.0 stl in 30.3 mpg

Malcolm Brogdon, a proven starting point guard who plays both ends of the court and is a career 39.0% 3-point shooter and former ROY and 6MOY should be Lakers’ #3 candidate as their new starting point guard.

• Malcolm Brogdon, 31, 6′ 4″, 229 lbs, $22.5M, 2-yrs
  15.4 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.4 ast, 0.1 blk, 0.8 stl in 27.3 mpg

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The Lakers should trade for one of these three point guards. Murray adds offensive punch and defensive agility, Smart provides elite point-of-attack defense, and Brogdon brings solid 3-point shooting and perimeter defense.

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SHOOTING GUARD CANDIDATES

The Lakers’ 2nd priority in building a new starting lineup is finding a new starting shooting guard to jumpstart the offense with 3 to 4 additional made threes per game to eliminate their 10-point negative 3-point differential.

The Lakers’ current formula for winning games requires them to win the points-in-the-paint and free-throws-made battles by more than 10 points per game to offset their 10-point negative 3-point shooting differential.
Trading for an elite high volume, high percentage 3-point shooter who could give the team 3 or 4 more made threes per game and create better spacing should be the Lakers #2 priority before the trade deadline.

The only way for the Lakers to eliminate their negative 3-point shooting differential is to take and make more threes. Here are three candidates who could deliver 3 or 4 additional made threes per game for the Lakers:

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Bogdan Bogdanovic, who’s an elite high volume, high percentage 3-point shooters who’s currently shooting 37.3% on a career high 8.9 threes per game, should be the Lakers #1 candidate as starting shooting guard.

• Bogdan Bogdanovic, 31, 6′ 5″, 225 lbs, $18.7M, 4-yrs
  17.7 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.8 ast, 0.3 blk, 1.3 stl in 28.3 mpg

Buddy Hield, who’s been on the L.A.’s radar forever and always ranks among the league’s best high volume, high percentage 3-point shooters, should be the Lakers #2 candidate to be their starting shooting guard.

• Buddy Hield, 31, 6′ 4″, 220 lbs, $19.2M, 1-yr
  12.7 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 0.6 blk, 0.8 stl in 25.8 mpg

Zach LaVine, who’s the greatest trade risk due to injury history and mega contract but has the highest ceiling when it comes to talent and fit with James and Davis, should be Lakers’ #3 starting shooting guard candidate.

• Zach LaVine, 28, 6′ 5″, 200 lbs, $40.0M, 4-yrs
  20.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.4 ast, 0.2 blk, 0.9 stl in 35.0 mpg

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The Lakers should trade for one of these three shooting guards. Bogdan is generating 3+ made threes and is best defender, Buddy is sure bet to add 3 to 4 threes per game, and Zach has the greatest upside and contract risk.

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SECOND BIG CANDIDATES

The Lakers’ 3rd priority in building a new starting lineup is finding a second big to pair with Anthony Davis in a 2-bigs lineup and back him up when he rest. There are both offensive and defensive second big options.

Playing a second big doubles down on the Lakers’ winning blueprint of dominating points-in-the-paint and free-throws-made, valuable insurance if they can’t find a two guard to give them 3 or 4 more threes per game.
Having a second big who could stretch the floor with their shooting, create opportunities with their playmaking, and protect the rim with their shot blocking would transform the Lakers both offensively and defensively.

The Lakers need to find a second big to play with and without Anthony Davis to be a legitimate contender for their 18th NBA championship. Here are their best three options for a future second big to play with AD:

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Kelly Olynyk, who’s on an expiring contract and would be the perfect offensive stretch big to play next to AD, should be the Lakers #1 candidate to be their future second big to play with and without Anthony Davis.

• Kelly Olynyk, 32, 6′ 11″, 240 lbs, $17.2M , 2-yrs
  8.0 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.6 ast, 0.3 blk, 0.8 stl in 21.5 mpg

Daniel Gafford, who’s a fierce dunker and rebounder and dominant shot blocker and defender against superstar bigs like Nikola Jokic, should be the Lakers #2 candidate as future second big to play with and without AD.

• Daniel Gafford, 25, 6′ 10″, 234 lbs, $12.4M, 3-yrs
  10.5 pts, 7.6 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.1 blk, 1.8 stl in 25.6 mpg

Draymond Green, who’s completed his 12-game suspension and is ready to return to the Warriors’ lineup but could find himself out of their future plans, should be the Lakers’ #3 candidate as second big to pair with AD.

• Draymond Green, 33, 6′ 6″, 230 lbs, $22.3M, 4-yrs
  9.7 pts, 5.5 reb, 5.8 ast, 0.7 blk, 0.4 stl in 32.6 mpg

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The Lakers should trade for one of these second big candidates. Olynyk would be a dynamic second big to stretch the court, Gafford an elite rim protector and vertical threat, and Green an transcendent two-way star.

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TOP-3 TRADE CANDIDATES

The Lakers need to upgrade the three starters who will surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They need a new starting point guard, shooting guard, and second big to play with and complement their two superstars.

Whom do you like as the Lakers’ new starting point guard? Dejounte Murray, Marcus Smart, or Tyus Jones? What about the Lakers new starting shooting guard? Zach LaVine, Buddy Hield, or Bogdan Bogdanovic?
While replacing their backcourt with new point and shooting guards is the Lakers’ top priority, they also need a second big who can start next to Anthony Davis in a two-bigs starting lineup and cover whenever he rests.

Personally, I favor the Lakers trading with the Hawks for Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic and the Jazz for Kelly Olynyk. That would give the Lakers three new starters to play with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Murray, Bogdanovic, and Olynyk earn $54.1 million per year, meaning the Lakers would have to match those salaries, which means giving up Russell, Vincent, Prince, Hood-Schifino, and Hachimura plus major draft capital.

Murray and Bogdanovic immediately become the Lakers backcourt of the future. Dejounte is shooting 38.3% on 6.0 threes per game while Bogdan is shooting 37.5 on 8.9 threes per game. Together, that’s 14.9 threes per game.
Olynyk immediately becomes the dynamic second big who starts next to Davis and gives the Lakers a third high percentage 3-point shooter to create spacing for James and Davis as well as a solid rebounder and playmaker.

As the Lakers near the February 8, 2024 trade deadline, I’ll be looking to see ‘Lakers’ trade bombs’ from Shams or Woj for any of the 9 trade candidates listed in this article, but especially for Murray, Bogdanovic, and Olynyk.

With a 17–16 record and 9th place in the West, the Lakers’ performance on the road against the West-leading Timberwolves was a microcosm of the team’s encouraging and frustrating first 33 games of the 2023–24 season.

The encouragement came from the continued good health and dominating play of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the Lakers’ ability to compete at an extremely high level against the best teams in the league.
The frustration came from the never-ending injury parade and inconsistent play from the Lakers’ role players and the head coach’s struggles to figure out how to build starting lineups and rotations with shooting and defense.

As the Lakers close out 2023 with a New Year’s Eve game in New Orleans against the Pelicans, they’re looking forward to the new year and to a January where they’ll play 10 of their 15 games at home in Los Angeles.
Then there’s January 15, when player who re-signed using Bird rights become eligible to be traded. Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves are the Lakers players who will become eligible to be traded on January 15.

New Year’s Eve’s the perfect time for individuals and organizations to pause and reflect where they’ve been, where they are, and where they’re going. Let’s look where the Lakers have been, are now, and are headed in 2024.

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Not How L.A. Season Was Supposed To Start

After miraculously making it to the Western Conference Finals last season and enjoying a supposedly ‘elite’ offseason, the L.A. Lakers and their fans expected the first 40% of the 2023–24 season to go a lot better than it did.

That’s not to say this team did not have it’s moments. For better or worse, they did champion and win the inaugural In-Season Tournament though maybe soiling their ‘Championships Only’ ID by hanging the ISL banner.
And LeBron James continues to dominate Father Time and prove he’s still a superstar at age 39 while Anthony Davis has been the heart and soul of the Lakers and has now become the alpha player L.A. must have on the court.

At their best, the Lakers have shown glimpses of the team that made it to the conference finals, especially against the best, but injuries and their inconsistent play and coaching have hamstrung them so far this season.
While injuries ravaged the role players, Gabe Vincent became the new Kendrick Nunn, DLO and Reaves’ defense became unplayable at times, and Ham continued to play defenders who couldn’t shot, the Lakers survived.

That’s all that matters right now. Last year, it took the Lakers until March 30 to reach .500. Right now, they’re already over .500 and in a dramatically better position to rise than they were at the end of December last season.
The Lakers have the league’s 22nd offensive rating, the 9th defensive rating, and 19th net rating this season. That’s a solid improvement over last season’s 17th offensive rating, 21st defensive rating, and 25th net rating.

What the Lakers learned from the first 33 games is that a healthy and engaged LeBron James and Anthony Davis is still all they need to compete for an NBA championship. Now they just need to upgrade a few pieces.

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Lakers Are Win Streak Away From 4th in West

As frustrating this season has been so far, the Los Angeles Lakers should nevertheless be grateful for where they are and the health and great play of James and Davis. The Lakers are just 3 games away from 4th in the West.

While the deep West is going to be a challenging every game, the Lakers are just a big winning streak away from catapulting themselves out of the 7–10 Play-In Tourney grouping and into the top-6 guaranteed playoff teams.
After tonight’s game in New Orleans vs. the Pelicans, the Lakers will face a more friendly schedule that has them playing 10 of 15 games in January in Los Angeles. The Lakers’ goal should be to be 4th seed by end of January.

With James and Davis dominating like during the 2020 championship run in the bubble, the Lakers just need their head coach to stabilize the starting lineup and rotation and their role players to come through and perform.
Right now Ham wants to prove the Lakers can win with a starting lineup that boasts two elite defenders who are non-shooters in Cam Reddish and Jarred Vanderbilt. For a change, that lineup was great against the Wolves.

To his credit, since the lineup change where Reddish, Vanderbilt, and Prince join superstars James and Davis, the Lakers have competed at a high level despite playing the league’s best. Ham’s not likely to backtrack now.
But the need for a trade soon is growing as Ham leans more and more on James and Davis. If what they want necessitates trading Rui Hachimura or Austin Reaves, the Lakers will then have to wait until after January 15.

Meanwhile, the Lakers hope their recent improved 3-point shooting will continue as they pray and hope they can push the ‘Go Bigger’ philosophy to win games until they can pull off a desperately needed blockbuster trade.

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What’s Missing For Lakers to Have Happy 2024?

New Year’s Eve’s the perfect time for individuals and organizations to pause and reflect where they’ve been, where they are, and where they’re going. Embracing that, here’s what’s missing for the Lakers to have a happy 2024.

1. New Starting Point Guard
   The Lakers are committed to trading D’Angelo Russell, which means they must also bring back a new point guard via trade or play James at the point guard. The best solution may be to trade Russell and draft capital to the Atlanta Hawks for point guard Dejounte Murray.
2. New Starting Power Forward
   The Lakers also need to find a second big to pair with Anthony Davis who can provide better 3-point shooting and offensive spacing than Jarred Vanderbilt. The ideal solution to giving the starting lineup more firepower and playmaking would be to trade for Kelly Olynyk.
3. New Backup Center
   The Lakers need to double down on their winning blueprint of winning points-in-the-paint and free-throws-made by investing via trade in a quality rim protector to play center when Anthony Davis rests. Top solution to fill that role would be a trade for Wizards’ Daniel Gafford.

Below is a the result of Lakers trades for Dejounte Murray, Kelly Olynyk, and Daniel Gafford. Hawks would get Lakers 2029 pick and 2028 & 2029 swaps, Jazz no protection on 2027 pick, and Wizards 2 second rounders.

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Lakers Depth Chart After Trades:

PG: Dejounte Murray, Austin Reaves, Jalen Hood-Schifino
SG: Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Max Christie
SF: LeBron James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxwell Lewis
PF: Kelly Olynyk, Christian Wood
CE: Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Jaxson Hayes