Aloha,
Christmas and the trade season is upon us. But unlike Christmas, we may have to wait several weeks for the presents under our basketball tree.
I had been thinking that it could be a while before any trade materializes. Then I saw an interview with Jovon Buha, the best reporter for the Athletic and he shares the same opinion.
This is a strange year in the NBA. If you look at the standings only 5 to maybe 6 teams can look at their rosters and conclude they have no chance for the playoffs. With the standings so tightly bunched together, there are 25 teams that feel they have a chance. While it’s always championship or bust for the Lakers, there are plenty of squads that just making the playoffs is a huge win. The Kings are a perfect example.
This creates a real problem for the Lakers, they may desperately want to make a trade but there are 24 other buyers looking to upgrade their squad for a playoff run and only 5 sellers. This gives teams like the Pistons a great deal of leverage. They can wait for the bids to roll in. Unfortunately our distant 1st round picks isn’t as valuable to them. They are building around 20 to 22 year olds. Those players will be 25 to 27 when the first pick can be spent and 27 to 29 when the 2nd can be used. It will make sense for them to hold out for more immediate help.
Now there will be buyers willing to trade for players that elevate their playoff chances. Again our firsts will not do them any good this year. As for teams blowing it up to rebuild. That could happen but I think these teams can do better then our 1st for high end players. There will probably be better offers for even mid level players like Kuz.
Jamie has predicted trades will be happening closer to the trade deadline and with the current unusual playoff race that very well could be the case. The only trade I believe could actually be on the table is the Fournier/Reddish deal. The sticking point was reported that the Lakers wanted a first to do that deal. Which makes sense, considering the Knicks would probably have to pay to move Fournier with anyone else. For the Knicks , Reddish seems to be the compensation.
As I have stated before I am hoping to find a Forward with size. That is my wish. That maybe realistic. I just don’t believe we can find a trade for a star with what we have or add several high end role players with what we have to offer. Hopefully opportunities open up sooner then later. And who knows, perhaps new names pop up on the trade market. The more players on the market, the better for the Lakers chances are of landing someone that can truly help.
Good post, Michael.
The problem with the Lakers is they have two extremely valuable assets they could trade, which are their two picks without protections. Those would be the most valuable trade assets on the market. It’s the post-LeBron and AD time period and memories of the post-Kobe Lakers and the #2 picks for Lonzo and Brandon that make those picks valuable.
The problem is those two first round picks become just another first round picks when heavy protections are added. Lakers obviously won’t give up the picks unprotected unless for a third superstar, which is not going to happen, which means we likely will end up punting this season away despite MVP AD and aging LeBron. Be interesting to see what LeBron says on his birthday if the Lakers still have not made a trade. Not a happy birthday.
Thanks Tom, this is my thoughts on our picks. If I am the GM of say the Pistons, and I’m building around 21 year old Cunningham, if a team offers me a first round pick this year or next for Bogdanovic, I take that everyday over our pick in 27 or 29, even if they are unprotected Cunningham would be 27 or 29 before I could use those picks. That will be an issue in a lot of trade scenarios. Say the Raptors decide to blow it up and start a rebuild. Do they want to wait 5 years to start their rebuild or do they want to start next year. The Raptors are not an attractive free agent destination so they will have to build through draft picks and landing young prospects in a trade. Our picks have value but not as much value for teams rebuilding now.
If Bojan wouldn’t melt I think he would be super for us.