The biggest roster decision Lakers must make before deadline is whether to trade for starting or backup 5.
Pros for starting 5 is it allows AD to play 4 & frees up AD to roam on O & D. Cons are it forces LBJ to play 3.
WK, RW, MT, NV w/b starters. JV, DRS, NR w/b backups. https://t.co/wXxEHu7Csw pic.twitter.com/SbUwLxyfag
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 31, 2024
Lakers must decide to trade for starting or backup center
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December 31, 2024 2 Comments
The big question in my opinion is whether the Lakers should spend critical first round picks on a center who cannot stretch the floor.
JJ Redick’s offensive strategy really needs a stretch five to have the best spacing, especially for James and Davis. That means a center like Turner or Vucevic rather than Kessler or Williams.
Hard to spend one or two valuable first round picks on a center who can’t space the court. Lakers should go after Myles Turner, who has not signed an extension with Indiana, and would be perfect fit next to AD.
To give up two picks though, Lakers would need to get agreement with Turner on LT extension.
Remember there is a player on the mend that also cannot stretch the floor, Jared “VANDOLORIAN” Vanderbilt…I’d be fine with including him in a trade for a center that shoots 3’s at an equal efficiency.