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Ten Laker Trades for Third Superstar, Volume Threes, and/or Rim Protection

March 14, 2021 By LakerTom 3 Comments

Struggling with Anthony Davis’ subpar play and injury, players out due to Covid protocol, cratering 3-point shooting, and faltering rim protection, the Lakers desperately need a big trade to keep their championship hopes alive.

They need a third superstar to match the Nets’ Superstar Big Three, some volume 3-point shooters to match the Clippers, Nets, and Jazz who shoot 10 more threes per game, and an elite rim protector to anchor their defense. Finding players to fill those needs is going to require the Lakers to give up valuable components of the roster than won the NBA championship last season. The reality is the bar to win the NBA championship has been raised.

Other than LeBron and AD, Kuzma is the only other Laker close to being untouchable as he’s become exactly what the Lakers are trying to trade for, a high volume, high percentage 3-point shooter who could be a third star. Keeping Dennis Schroder should also be a high priority but the rest of the Lakers’ roster have to be considered fair game in a major trade, even fan favorites like Alex Caruso, Montrezl Harrell, and Talen Horton-Tucker.

While the Lakers will be monitoring the buyout market, they’re not likely to find a third star or superstar, volume 3-point shooter, or elite rim protector there. The one exception may be former Houston center DeMarcus Cousins. What separates Cousins from the other center buyout candidates is his willingness and ability to shoot the three. Boogie shot 33.6% on 4.6 threes per game this season and 35.4% on 6.1 threes per game at his peak in 2018.

The challenging part of proposing trades is figuring out who’s available that fits your needs, what competing teams are likely to offer, and what’s the right package to offer to entice the other team to actually agree to the trade. Fortunately, there’s TRADENBA.COM’s virtual trade machine that not only allows anybody to play NBA general manager but also projects which team wins the trade and number of wins the trade should statistically produce.

Here are ten proposed trades that could give the Lakers a coveted third superstar, volume 3-point shooters to keep up with the Nets, Clippers, and Jazz, and/or a rim protector to anchor the Lakers’ top ranked defense.

1. TRADE FOR VICTOR OLADIPO & PJ TUCKER

Lakers get third superstar, add volume 3-point shooting and perimeter defense but give up valuable depth, scoring, and budding young star.

Third Superstar? Yes, Victor Oladipo
Volume 3-Point Shooting? Yes, 10.2 vs. 6.6 Threes Per Game
Better Defense? Yes, Oladipo > THT, Tucker > KCP
Trade Machine Verdict? Even Trade.

Starters: Schroder, OLADIP0, James, Davis, Gasol
Bench: Caruso, TUCKER, Kuzma, Morris, COUSINS

2. TRADE FOR KYLE LOWRY

Lakers get third superstar, add volume 3-point shooting and perimeter defense but give up valuable depth, scoring, and budding young star.

Third Superstar? Yes, Kyle Lowry
Volume 3-Point Shooting? Yes,7.1 vs. 5.2 Threes Per Game
Better Defense? Yes, Lowry > KCP
Trade Machine Verdict? Raptors+3 Wins

Starters: LOWRY, Schroder, James, Davis, Gasol
Bench: Caruso, Kuzma, McKinnie, Morris, COUSINS

3. TRADE FOR KRISTAPS PORZINGIS

Lakers get potential third superstar and modern two-way center but give up valuable depth, scoring, perimeter defense, and budding young star.

Third Superstar? Yes, Kristaps Porzingis
Volume 3-Point Shooting? No, 6.2 vs 8.2 Threes Per Game
Better Defense? Yes, Porzingis Averages 1.5 Blocks Per Game
Trade Machine Verdict? Even Trade

Starters: Schroder, Kuzma, James, Davis, PORZINGIS
Bench: Caruso, Matthews, McKinney, Morris, Gasol

4. TRADE FOR MYLES TURNER

Lakers get perfect modern center who can protect the rim and stretch defenses but give up volume threes, depth, and budding young star.

Third Superstar? Yes, Myles Turner is a superstar for his position
Volume 3-Point Shooting? No, 4.6 vs. 7.1 Threes Per Game
Better Defense? Yes, Turner Leads NBA With 3.3 Blocks Per Game
Trade Machine Verdict? Pacers+3 Wins

Starters: Schroder, Caldwell-Pope, James, Davis, TURNER
Bench: Caruso, Matthews, McKinney, Morris, Gasol

5. TRADE FOR DEVONTE GRAHAM, MALIK MONK, BISMACK BIYOMBO

Lakers get two volume 3-point shooters and capable rim protector but give up depth, perimeter defense, budding young star, and first round pick.

Third Superstar? No
Volume 3-Point Shooting? Yes, 15.4 vs. 4.9 Threes Per Game
Add Better Defense? No, Graham > Caruso
Trade Machine Verdict? Even Trade

Starters: Schroder, GRAHAM, James, Davis, Gasol
Bench: Caldwell-Pope, MONK, Kuzma, Morris, BIYOMBO

6. TRADE FOR LONZO BALL & JJ REDICK

Lakers get second playmaker and elite perimeter defender, two volume 3-point shooters but give up depth, scoring, and budding young star

Third Superstar? No
Volume 3-Point Shooting? Yes, 16.2 vs. 5.9 Threes Per Game
Better Defense? Yes, Ball > KCP
Trade Machine Verdict? Even Trade.

Starters: BALL, Schroder, James, Davis, Gasol
Bench: Caruso, REDICK, Kuzma, Morris, COUSINS

7. TRADE FOR NERLENS NOEL & REGGIE BULLOCK

Lakers get elite rim protector and volume 3-point shooter but give up scoring, depth, budding young star, and second round pick.

Third Superstar? No, but Nerlens Noel is elite rim protector
Volume 3-Point Shooting? Yes, 4.7 vs. 2.1 Threes Per Game
Better Defense? Yes, Noel Averages 2.0 Blocks & 0.9 Steals Per Game
Trade Machine Verdict? Knicks+3 Wins

Starters: Schroder, Caldwell-Pope, James, Davis, NOEL
Bench: Caruso, BULLOCK, Kuzma, Morris, Gasol

8. TRADE FOR BUDDY HIELD & HASSAN WHITESIDE

Lakers get high volume 3-point shooter and elite shot blocker but give up scoring, depth, perimeter defense, and second round pick.

Third Superstar? No
Volume 3-Point Shooting? Yes, 10.4 vs. 6.3 Threes Per Game
Add Better Defense? Yes, Whiteside 1.3 Blocks Per Game
Trade Machine Verdict? Even Trade

Starters: Schroder, HIELD, James, Davis, Gasol
Bench: Horton-Tucker,Caldwell-Pope, Kuzma, Morris, WHITESIDE

9. TRADE FOR EVAN FOURNIER & MO BAMBA

Lakers get volume 3-point shooter and playmaker and young shot blocker but give up scoring, depth, and budding young star.

Third Superstar? No
Volume 3-Point Shooting? Yes, 6.7 vs. 5.9 Threes Per Game
Better Defense? Yes, Bamba 0.9 Blocks Per Game
Trade Machine Verdict? Even Trade

Starters: Schroder, FOURNIER, James, Davis, Gasol
Bench: Caruso, ROSS, Kuzma, Morris, BAMBA

10. TRADE FOR WAYNE ELLINGTON & DELON WRIGHT

Lakers get two volume 3-point shooters but give up depth, budding young star, and second round draft pick.

Third Superstar? No
Volume 3-Point Shooting? Yes, 8.9 3PA vs. 2.1 Threes Per Game
Better Defense? No Difference
Trade Machine Verdict? Pistons +3 Wins

Starters: WRIGHT, Schroder, James, Davis, Gasol
Bench: Caruso, ELLINGTON, Kuzma, Morris, COUSINS

Why Lakers Need the ‘Real’ Anthony Davis to Return to Repeat as Champs

March 12, 2021 By LakerTom 4 Comments

As great as LeBron James is and no matter what happens at the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers need the ‘real’ Anthony Davis to return if they hope to dominate the second half and repeat as NBA champions.

The single biggest major difference for the Los Angeles Lakers between the halfway point of this season versus last season hasn’t been rim protection or 3-point shooting but the play at both ends of the court by Anthony Davis. The issue for Davis this season has been injuries, which have not only had him miss 14 games, during which the Lakers went 7–7, but also led to fewer points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than halfway through last year.

After 37 games this season, Anthony is averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 32.8 minutes per game with the Lakers winning 17 while losing 6 of the 23 games he was healthy to play. After 37 games last season, Davis averaged 27.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.6 blocks in 35.2 minutes per game with the Lakers winning 29 games while losing 6 of the 35 games he was able to play.

Not only did Davis’ numbers for the first half of this season fail to match his productivity for the first half of last season, his points per game were 3rd lowest, his rebounds 2nd lowest, and his blocks lowest in his 9-year career. But the heart of Anthony’s problems this season have been the decline in his free throw, midrange, and 3-point shooting percentages from their playoff highs of 57.1% from the field, 83.2% from the line, and 38.3% from deep.

Struggling with injuries and short time off after the playoffs, Davis has seen his proficient playoff shooting falter. So far this season, he’s only shooting 53.3%from the field, 71.5% from the line, and 29.5% from 3-point range. Besides not shooting well, Anthony is not getting to the line. This season, he has averaged only 5.7 free throws per games versus 8.5 last season, despite reducing his attempts from deep from 15% to just 10% of his shots.

Anybody who’s watched the Lakers this season can see that Anthony Davis is not playing or shooting at the level he did in last year’s playoffs, which is why it’s important the Lakers don’t bring him back until he’s 100% healthy. The Lakers don’t need to be the top seed in the West to repeat as champs. They need the ‘real’ Anthony Davis playing like he did in last year’s playoffs. He may not yet be the best player on the team but he’s the key to winning.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, this season’s championship quest is going to be even tougher than last season’s battle in the bubble. The Clippers, Jazz, and Nets will present a more challenging gauntlet for the Lakers to repeat. The Lakers as a team are going to have shoot the three ball a lot better and would be wise to to add anther rim protecting center and one or two high percentage, high volume 3-point shooters to stay ahead of the competition.

The Lakers have made changes to accommodate Anthony Davis’ desire to play power forward instead of center. He’s played the five less the 5% this season versus more than 25% last season and close to 50% in the playoffs. Unless the Lakers make a surprise big move at the trade deadline, this may be the year when Anthony Davis is forced to play the five if the purple and gold are going to have a realistic chance to repeat at NBA champions.

The Lakers are going to need the ‘real’ Anthony Davis to show up and take his rightful place alongside great Lakers centers like Kareem, Wilt, and Shaq if this team is going to win their league best 18th NBA championship.

Lakers Gamble on Victor Oladipo To Create Their Own Superstar Big Three

March 8, 2021 By LakerTom 11 Comments

If folks wanna recognize The Covid Cup as a legitimate title then they can’t turn around and call for Vogel’s head after an injury-plagued season. I feel like the bubble situation served us well but the quick turnaround, condensed follow-up season wasn’t good for us. Stuff always seems to balance out. I think we definitely need to make adjustments but I don’t see us blowing everything up in what could be Lebron’s final season here. It’s just not what the organization has done in the past.

Three Small Trades to Give the Lakers Rim Protection and 3-Point Shooting

March 4, 2021 By LakerTom 8 Comments

The biggest mistake Rob Pelinka could make would be to fail to get LeBron James the help he needs to win another NBA championship. Right now, the Lakers desperately need better rim protection and volume 3-point shooting.

The problem is almost every one of the Lakers’ competitors are also looking for shot blockers and 3-point shooters, which makes their chances of filling their desperate needs via the buyout market an extremely long shot at best. As defending champs, the Lakers do not want to panic and break up their championship roster or hurt their great team chemistry and culture, which likely eliminates making a major trade for a star or superstar player.

The good news is here are three small trades that could bring back an elite rim protector and three high quality, high volume 3-point shooters without the Lakers having to give up any of their long term core rotation players.

1. Montrezl Harrell for Nerlens Noel and Reggie Bullock

This is a trade of backup centers by the league’s top two defensive teams with shooting guard Reggie Bullock included to match salaries. All three players are on expiring contracts and will become free agents this summer.

The Lakers make the deal because they get an elite shot blocker in Nerlens Noel who also has the mobility and athleticism to switch and defend smaller players on the perimeter, which is key to their trapping rotating defense. The Lakers also get a high quality, high volume 3-point shooter in Reggie Bullock, who’s averaging 38.1% on 4.5 threes per game, both of which would rank 3rd on the team for 3-point percentage and 3-point attempts.

The Knicks get needed instant offense off the bench in backup center Montrezl Harrell, reining 6th Man of the Year. Trez would give New York’s 23rd ranked offense desperately needed firepower in their playoff run.

2. Wesley Matthews and 2nd Round Pick for Wayne Ellington

This is a trade of older veteran shooting guards with the Lakers including a second round pick to sweeten the deal for the Pistons. Both players are on expiring contracts and will become unrestricted free agents this summer.

The Lakers make the deal because they’re in a win-now mode and need a high quality, high volume 3-point shooter like Ellington. Trading for Ellington, who’s averaging 43.5% on 6.2 threes per game, would help fix the problem. Right now, the Lakers have a negative 3-point differential of 2.7 points, making a 27th ranked 10.8 out of 30.8 attempted threes for 35.1% while allowing a 5th ranked 11.7 out of 32.6 attempted threes for 35.8%

The 10–25 Pistons meanwhile have the 29th worst record in the league and are in full rebuilding mode. Acquiring a second round pick by swapping Ellington for Matthews helps collect assets and improves their draft status.

3. Talen Horton-Tucker for Devonte Graham

This is a straight 1-for-1 player trade of backup lead guards. Both players are in the last year of their contracts and are expected to decline their qualifying offers and become highly coveted restricted free agents this summer.

The Lakers make the deal because they’re in a win-now mode and need the volume 3-point shooting and playmaking skills at which Graham excels. Devonte is shooting 35.5% on 6.8 threes and averaging 5.7 assists per game. While the 20-year old Horton-Tucker arguably has a greater upside, the 23-year old Graham’s 3-point shooting and playmaking are right now a better fit than THT to be the Lakers’ backup point guard for Dennis Schroder.

The 17–18 Hornets have put together an exciting young roster and the addition of LaMelo Ball and emergence of Terry Rozier have made Graham expendable. Trading for THT would give Charlotte another future star.

The addition of Nerlens Noel, Reggie Bullock, Wayne Ellington, and Devonte Graham would give the Lakers the elite rim protector and high percentage, high volume 3-point shooting to repeat as NBA champs.

Defensively, Noel would give the Lakers the shot blocking rim protector they miss without McGee and Howard. His impact would definitely give the Lakers’ top ranked defense a big boost the rest of the season and playoffs. More importantly, the addition of Noel would enable the Lakers to stagger his minutes with Davis to keep an elite shot blocker on the floor the entire game and allow the Lakers to have two mobile bigs to close out games.

But the biggest impact of the trades would be how they transform the Lakers offensively from a poor 3-point shooting team with a differential of -2.7 points to an elite team with a top-two 3-point differential of 9.5 points. Bullock, Ellington, and Graham combined to aake 196 out of 509 threes for a respectful 38.5% the first half of the season while Harrell, Matthews, and Horton-Tucker made just 49 out of 161 threes for a disappointing 30.4%.

Replacing Harrell, Matthews, and Horton-Tucker with better high volume shooters like Bullock, Ellington, and Graham could enable the Lakers to make 147 more and attempt 348 more threes the second half of the season. Making 147 additional threes over the last 36 games could generate 441 points or 12.3 points per game, giving the Lakers a +9.6 differential, which would have been second best for the first half behind the Jazz’s +16.8 points.

The impact of how Noel could upgrade the Lakers’ defense while Bullock, Ellington, and Graham could transform the offense is a perfect blueprint for the type of moves Rob Pelinka needs to make at the trade deadline.

Why Trading for Myles Turner Could Be Los Angeles Lakers’ Perfect Move!

March 3, 2021 By LakerTom 11 Comments

While a third superstar to go with LeBron James and Anthony Davis to match the Nets’ Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden would be great, the perfect move for the Lakers could be to trade for Myles Turner.

In fact, there’s a case to be made that trading for Turner would be a smarter and more realistic move for the Lakers than trading for a superstar and Myles just might be available as playing him next to Sabonis is not working. However, it’s still going to take an impressive offer from the Lakers to tempt the Pacers to trade Turner, who’s leading the league with career best 3.4 blocks and career best 1.1 steals in a career high 31.5 minutes per game.

That’s why the Lakers need to offer a package for Myles Turner the Pacers couldn’t refuse: 27-year old 6MOY Montrezl Harrell, 25-year old two-way star Kyle Kuzma, and 20-year old potential superstar Talen Horton-Tucker.

Let’s review why this is a win-win trade, why Myles Turner could be key to the win-now Lakers repeating as champs, and why Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, and Talen Horton-Tucker could transform the Pacers into winners.

WHY THE TRADE IS A WIN FOR LAKERS!

The Los Angeles Lakers have two serious needs that must be addressed to repeat as NBA champs: better rim protection and more 3-point shooting. Trading for Myles Turner dramatically improves the Lakers in both areas.

While he’s not a superstar per se, Turner has the skill set to arguably be a superstar in the role he’d play on the Lakers, which is a modern starting center who can protect the rim on defense and space the floor on offense. Myles leads the league in blocked shots and has the quickness and mobility to defend smaller players on the perimeter. He’s also a career 34.7% 3-point shooter who takes 4.6 threes per game and finishes ferociously at the rim.

Turner is the missing puzzle piece that elevates the Lakers’ top ranked championship defense to the next level. He and Anthony Davis would give the Lakers’ defense an unmatched pair of pterodactyl sized shot blockers. More importantly, the Lakers could stagger Turner’s and Davis’ minutes to keep an elite rim protector on the floor for the entire game. And Myles has the size, mobility, hops, and athleticism to defend Jokic and Embiid.

Turner gives the Lakers the low post dunks off lobs and rugged rebounding they’ve missed without McGee and Howard and a faster, quicker, and more mobile defender who can rotate and challenge shooters on the perimeter. Unlike last year’s old school low post centers, Myles can’t be played off the floor defensively and doesn’t allow opponents to pack the paint offensively to prevent LeBron James and Anthony Davis from getting to the rim.

Finally, landing the 6′ 11,” 250 lb Turner solves the problem of Anthony Davis preferring to play most of his minutes at power forward to avoid the physical banging and injury risks that inevitably come from playing center. Pairing the 24-year old Turner with the 27-year old Davis also solidifies the Lakers’ starting front court for the next decade and helps to extend their championship window well past the eventual end of LeBron James career.

While giving up Harrell, Kuzma, and Horton-Tucker is a huge price to pay, the 24-year old 6′ 11,” 250 lb Turner has the potential to transform the Los Angeles Lakers from a one time champion into the NBA’s next dynasty.

WHY THE TRADE IS A WIN FOR THE PACERS!

Indiana’s experiment under new coach Nate Bjorkgren to play 6′ 11,” 240 lb Domantas Sabonis and 6′ 11,” 250 lb Myles Turner together is not working as the 15–18 Pacers have now lost 4 straight and fallen to 9th in the East.

While the Pacers won 4 of their first 5 games with Sabonis and Turner playing together, it’s become increasingly obvious two bigs front court has been a failure and they need to move Sabonis to center and trade Turner. The following chart using stats from NBA.com shows how the offensive, defensive, and net ratings of the Sabonis and Turner 2-player lineups and the Indiana Pacers as a team have declined each month this season.

Since Sabonis is the Pacers’ franchise player and Turner’s contract too expensive for a reserve, the Pacers would be smart to trade him now for multiple players who can provide them needed scoring and bench depth. With LeVert and Warren expected back sometime this season, the Pacers aren’t ready to tank. They just need to turn Turner into two or three players who fit better with their core of Sabonis, Brogdon, LeVert, and Warren.

The talented package of Harrell, Kuzma, and Horton-Tucker from the Lakers could be just what the Pacers need. Montrezl Harrell could be the instant offense small ball center they need when Domantas Sabonis rests. Kyle Kuzma could step right in and give their offense and defense a boost as starting power forward and 20-year old Talen Horton-Tucker is the wild card in the trade with his legitimate potential to become a future superstar.

A Pacers’ roster with Brogdon, LeVert, Warren, Kuzma, and Sabonis starting and Holiday, McDermott, McConnell, Harrell, and Lamb coming off the bench would clearly be a better, more diverse, and deeper playoff team.