What if?

Aloha,

It’s trade season again and the expectation seems to be that the Lakers will make one. But what if they can’t? Personally I think it’s more likely that the Lakers won’t be able to make a big trade than making one.

Take Murray for instance. The Hawks do not want DLO. That make sense. The two PG experiment didn’t work with Murray so why would it work with DLO? So the Lakers need to find a third team. This is where it gets tricky. The Lakers not only need to find a third team that will take on DLO but also has something of value for the Hawks. And we really can’t pay a team to take him because our first round pick needs to go to the Hawks. Last year the Lakers lucked out because we were the third team. The Timber Wolves wanted Conley and we had the assets to help make it happen.

I am not even sure that landing Murray increases our odds for a championship. For me, health is still the biggest factor. The Lakers are 21 and 12 when fewer than 3 rotation players are out. And that doesn’t even take under consideration that guys and the team has to find a rhythm when players return. One can only imagine what if Vando had been available all year after watching him play recently now that he is healthy and in playing condition.

Murray would help our perimeter defense but by how much? DLO is currently on a hot streak and it is unrealistic that he maintains this level of play, still as the third option would Murray out perform DLO’s 17 points, 6 1/2 assists and 42% 3 point shooting? Plus, while DLO isn’t a lock down defender he has been decent at team defense. While Murray hasn’t resembled the defender he was a few years ago. Considering we can insert Vando and Cam when better defense is required, I’m not sure that a Murray trade would be much more than a wash at best.

Unless something unexpected happens I am beginning to think that holding off on a trade until the summer when will have more assets available maybe the best scenario moving forward.