After trading for elite 3&D wing Dorian Finney-Smith, the ‘right players’ whom the Lakers should next target are Grizzlies’ former DPOY point guard Marcus Smart and Jazz’ shot-blocking defensive center Walker Kessler.

While it will require major draft capital, Smart and Kessler are the ‘right players’ for the Lakers to target because they would transform the Lakers into a defense-first team and dramatically upgrade depth and continuity. Smart and Kessler earn just $23 million per year so the Lakers would only have to give up Hachimura, Hood-Schifino, Reddish, and Wood while still keeping valuable backups like Vincent, Vanderbilt, Christie and Milton.

Trading for Smart and Kessler would cost the Lakers serious draft capital in the form of 2 first round picks, 1 first round pick swap, and 2 second round picks but only 1 starter and 3 bench players who are not part of the future.

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In comparison, if the Lakers traded for Pelicans’ point guard Dejounte Murray and Pacers’ center Myles Turner, who combined earn $50 million per year, they’d have also had to give up Vincent, Vanderbilt, and Christie.

While Murray and Turner might have the ‘highest ceiling’ of any point guard and center duo the Lakers might trade for, a Smart and Kessler trade has almost as much upside but clearly allows greater depth and continuity.
Being able to retain Vincent, Vanderbilt, and Christie not only dramatically strengthens the Lakers’ backups but leaves them with multiple tradable salaries that could be used to make additional moves to upgrade the roster.

While costly in terms of draft capital, here are the four reasons why Marcus Smart and Walker Kessler are the ‘right point guard and center duo’ for the Lakers to target to transform their roster into a championship contender.

1. Transform Lakers Into Defense-First Team

Starting Smart at point guard and Kessler at center alongside Davis at power forward would transform the Lakers into a legitimate defense-first NBA team with three elite defenders starting and three coming off bench.

Starting Marcus Smart with Austin Reaves in the backcourt and Walker Kessler with Anthony Davis and LeBron James in the front court would transform the L.A.’s starting lineup into a legitimate defensive juggernaut.
Suddenly, the Lakers rotation would boast six proven defense-first players including starters Anthony Davis, Marcus Smart, and Walker Kessler and reserves Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Dorian Finney-Smith.

The Lakers now have the 13th best offense and 8th worst defense in the league. Their problem in a nutshell is they can play top-5 offense or top-10 defense for stretches but can’t figure out how to do both at same time.
While the Lakers have claimed they’re totally committed to a defense-first style of basketball, the question remains whether Rob Pelinka is willing to spend the valuable draft capital it’ll take to transform the Lakers’ defense.

Replacing 6 one-way players in Russell, Lewis, Hachimura, Hood-Schifino, Milton, and Reddish with 3 legitimate two-way players in Finney-Smith, Smart, and Kessler would transform the Lakers into a defense-first team.
With every rotation lineup boasting a majority of solid defenders, the Lakers will suddenly become one of the top defensive teams in the NBA. Even mediocre defenders like Austin Reaves will become better defenders.

Having three elite defenders in the starting lineup and three plus defenders in their bench rotation should immediately transform the Los Angeles Lakers from an offense-first to a deep and talented defense-first team.

2. Transform Starting Lineup Into Juggernaut

Starting Marcus Smart at point guard and Walker Kessler at center would immediately transform the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup from an offense-first fivesome to what could be a legitimate defensive juggernaut.

Right now, the Lakers’ starting lineup of Reaves, Christie, Hachimura, James, and Davis has posted an excellent Offrtg of 109.6, Defrtg of 104.0, and Netrtg of +5.6 for 105 minutes in 10 games played for the season.
While those are actually good numbers for a starting lineup, replacing Christie and Hachimura with Smart and Kessler would greatly upgrade their perimeter point-of-attack defense and low post rim protection.

Pairing former DPOY Marcus Smart with Austin Reaves instead of young unproven Max Christie would dramatically upgrade the Lakers’ point-of-attack perimeter defense, especially in playoffs where experience counts.
Similarly, pairing Walker Kessler with Anthony Davis instead of offense-first Rui Hachimura would immediately upgrade the starting lineup’s size and physicality, particularly against teams who play two-bigs lineups.

While there could be teams where starting two bigs might not be the best matchup, the Lakers will always have the option of starting Finney-Smith at small forward and moving James and Davis to power forward and center.
That alternative Lakers’ starting lineup would include Marcus Smart and Austin Reaves as backcourt guards and LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith as front court forwards with Anthony Davis reverting to center.

Trading for Marcus Smart and Walker Kessler to replace Max Christie and Rui Hachimura would transform the Lakers’ starting lineup into both an offensive and defensive juggernaut that would among best in league.

3. Upgrade Rotation Depth and Versatility

Trading for Marcus Smart and Walker Kessler to start at point guard and center would enable the Lakers to dramatically upgrade their rotational depth and versatility to better matchup against different opponents.

Being able to retain valuable rotation players like Vincent, Christie, Vanderbilt, Finney-Smith, and Hayes when trading for Smart and Kessler is key to the Lakers being able to win the minutes when their superstars rest.
Having two elite shot blocking defensive centers who together can essentially put a lid on the the Lakers basket for all 48 minutes of every game will also dramatically improve the Lakers’ non-starting lineups.

The Lakers would have experienced, trustworthy backups at all 5 spots with Gabe Vincent at the one, Max Christie at the two, Jarred Vanderbilt at the three, Dorian Finney-Smith at the four, and Jaxson Hayes at the five.
That would leave the Lakers with three young development projects in Shake Milton, LeBron James Jr., and Dalton Knecht plus two open roster spots that could be filled by free agents or by L.A.’s two-way players.

Opening up two roster spots will give the Lakers the opportunity to convert one of their two-way players to a standard contract, upgrade one of their backup players, or sign a promising new young player to be developed.
Ideally, the Lakers need strong backups at all five positions in case a starter gets injured or is in foul trouble and development players who can step up when needed when one of their backups suffers injury or foul problems.

Being able to retain Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Max Christie is critical to building the strong 9 or 10-man rotation the Lakers will need if they want to legitimately compete for their 18th NBA championship.

4. Optimize Other Roster Opportunities

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One of the other benefits of the trades for Marcus Smart and Walker Kessler is it still leaves the Lakers with two open roster spots, around $8 million in cap space under 1st apron, and multiple tradable salaries.

While the Lakers would have used much of their draft capital to trade for Smart and Kessler, they still have several players like Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, and Jarred Vanderbilt who could be swapped in another trade.
The post trade depth chart clearly shows that the Lakers could use a modern center who could stretch the floor and a bruising power forward who could extend their positional size advantage in the front court.

There are also a group of viable bigs that earns around $10M/yr and another group who earns less than $5M/yr, whom the Lakers could still swap Vincent, Vanderbilt, or Christie for more roster depth and versatility.
The Lakers could trade Gabe Vincent ($11M/yr), Jarred Vanderbilt ($10.7M/yr), and/or Max Christie ($7.1M/yr) for a center like Kelly Olynyk ($12.8M/yr), Robert Williams ($12.4M/yr), or Day’Ron Sharpe ($3.9M/yr).

Olynyk would give the Lakers a invaluable modern offensive center who’s an elite 3-point shooting, playmaking four or five while Williams would give them an all-world defender who could be a star if he can stay healthy.
Both would be massive upgrades that would give the Lakers’ front court major positional advantage and critical insurance against Anthony Davis or Walker Kessler becoming injured or getting into serious foul trouble.

The Lakers learned the hard way this summer why building a roster with maximum positional and financial flexibility is an absolute necessity for the team to be able to respond to the market and emerging opportunities.

After trading for Finney-Smith and Milton, the Lakers reportedly plan to wait until the trade deadline to see what they have when new players get integrated and injured players return before deciding their final moves.

The Los Angeles Lakers three greatest roster needs have been a legitimate 3&D wing to free James to play the 4, an elite alpha-dog 3&D POA guard to pair with Reaves, and a 2nd defensive big to play with and/or backup Davis. After almost two years of not making a single trade, Rob Pelinka surprised everybody by beating out the Memphis Grizzlies to trade for highly coveted 3&D wing Dorian Finney-Smith along with combo guard Shake Milton.

While Lakers fans may be skeptical of Pelinka’s ability to make the right moves, trading for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton was a winner that not only filled a critical need but also did not cost a first round pick.
Being able to land a legitimate 3&D wing like Finney-Smith without giving up one of their two tradable first round picks gives L.A. opportunities to pursue their two other needs: 3&D POA guard and shot blocking center.

The Finney-Smith and Milton trade for second round picks could be a precursor to bigger moves just like the Hachimura trade for second round picks turned out to be two years ago. Keeping both picks opens doors.
The better the team plays, the more likely Pelinka will use at least one and hopefully both of the first round picks to upgrade the starting lineup with a legitimate point-of-attack 3&D guard and/or bruising rim protecting center.

Let’s take a closer look at what Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ trade deadline strategy and options are and whom the Lakers might target as the needed point-of-attack defensive guard and shot blocking defensive center.

IS PELINKA READY TO PULL TRIGGER?

Regardless of how well they play over the next five weeks with the addition of Finney-Smith and Milton and hopeful return of Vanderbilt and Wood, the Lakers are still likely to need a trade or two before the trade deadline.

A quick look at the team’s post-trade depth chart when everybody is healthy shows the Lakers still desperately need a better backup than Jaxson Hayes at the five and are probably overly reliant on young Max Christie at the two.
The Lakers also have too many shooting guards and not enough centers and lack open roster spots to sign a free agent like Markelle Fultz, even though they opened up cap space below the second apron to afford him.

Ideally, the Lakers want a 15-man roster with 5 elite two-way starters, 5 solid proven backups, and 5 young players who have development upside. That should be the goal of any trades the Lakers make before the deadline.
Los Angeles’ two most critical needs right now are for a point-of-attack 3&D guard to pair with Austin Reaves in their starting backcourt and a legit shot blocking defensive center who can play with and/or backup Anthony Davis.

After trading D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis, the Lakers still have multiple players whose salaries could be packaged with a first round pick to trade for a starting POA 3&D guard and starting/backup defensive center.
Lakers assets include 2 first round picks, 2 swaps, 2 second round picks, and 5 players: Rui Hachimura ($17M), Gabe Vincent ($11.0M), Jarred Vanderbilt ($10.7M), Jalen Hood-Schifino ($3.8M), Cam Reddish ($2,4M).

While the Lakers have two tradable first round picks, there are also options that would only require a second round pick. Let’s take a look at whom the Lakers might target as their POA guard and/or their bruising second big.

Point-Of-Attack Guard To Pair With Austin Reaves

Ideally, the Lakers should pair Austin Reaves with a true lead point guard who can replace D’Angelo Russell’s and LeBron James’ elite playmaking and 3-point shooting while providing solid point-of-attack perimeter defense.

The top four 3&D point-of-attack defense-first guards whom the Lakers could pair with Austin Reaves include the Pelicans’ Dejounte Murray, Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart, Bulls’ Lonzo Ball, and Raptors’ Bruce Brown.
Although they’ve struggled so far this season, Murray and Smart would likely require the Lakers to include a first round pick plus matching salary. Ball and Brown could probably be acquired with second round picks.

Landing Dejounte Murray or Marcus Smart for one first round pick would be a huge win for the Lakers as both point guard are the alpha dog point-of-attack perimeter defenders Los Angeles needs to pair Austin Reaves.
Trading for Lonzo Ball or Bruce Brown would be smart moves that should only cost matching salaries and second round picks and would serve as insurance in case Max Christie falters later in the season or in the playoffs.

There’s an argument to be made the Lakers may not need to trade for a point-of-attack perimeter defender once Jarred Vanderbilt is healthy. The problem is Vando hasn’t played all season and still has no set return date.
At best, Vanderbilt is unfortunately still a one-way defense-first player and an offensive liability that struggles to navigate screens and can’t shoot the three-ball or score well enough to be the Lakers’ starting shooting guard.

How the Lakers solve their need for a legitimate 3&D point-of-attack guard will likely depend on whether they need both first round picks to trade for the second big they need to pair with and/or backup Anthony Davis.

1. Dejounte Murray, 6′ 4″ 180 lbs, 28 yrs, $29.5M 4-years
16.0 pts, 6.8 reb, 7.5 ast, 0.5 blk, 2.6 stl in 34.0 mpg
36.5% 16.3 FGA, 27.1% 5.3 3PA, 78.8% 2.4 FTA pg

2. Marcus Smart, 6′ 3″ 220 lbs, 30 yrs, $20.2M 2-years
9.2 pts, 2.3reb, 3.8 ast, 0.3 blk, 1.3 stl in 21.2 mpg
36.5% 16.3 FGA, 27.1% 5.3 3PA, 78.8% 2.4 FTA pg

3. Lonzo Ball, 6′ 6″ 190 lbs, 27 yrs, $21.3M 1-year
5.4 pts, 3.1 reb, 3.6 ast, 0.5 blk, 1.2 stl in 18.2 mpg
33.3% 5.1 FGA, 31.7% 4.3 3PA, 80.0% 0.7 FTA pg

4. Bruce Brown, 6′ 4″ 202 lbs, 28 yrs, $23.0M 1-year
12.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 1.0 ast, 0.0 blk, 1.0 stl in 19.0 mpg
50.0% 12.0 FGA, 0.0% 0.0 3PA, 0.0% 0.0 FTA pg

Second Big To Pair With Or Backup Anthony Davis

Ideally, the Lakers should pair Anthony Davis with a second big who can both protect the rim while also spacing the court and unleashing AD to play his preferred power forward so he can roam free on defense and offense.

The top four defensive center candidates to start alongside and/or back up Anthony Davis when he rests include the Pacers’ Myles Turner, Jazz’ Walker Kessler, Trail Blazers’ Robert Williams III, and Bull’s Nikola Vucevic.
The asking price for Turner and Kessler is probably two first round picks while Williams and Vucevic could likely be had for just a single first round pick, which could be the most the Lakers are willing to pay for a center.

Landing Turner or Kessler would be huge for the Lakers and would likely elevate them to legitimate championship contenders. Turner would be the perfect veteran stretch five and Kessler the perfect young shot blocker.
Williams and Vucevic offer completely different but attractive options for the Lakers. If he can stay healthy, Robert Williams is a potential DPOY candidate and Nikola Vucevic the stretch five answer for JJ Redick.

There’s an argument the Lakers don’t need to add a second big since a healthy Christian Wood could be the perfect second big to play next to Anthony Davis. Wood if healthy is an elite 3-point shooter and rebounder. Considering his injury history and poor percentage from three last season, the Lakers would be smart not to overly rely or count upon Christian Wood to be the second big they can pair with or backup Anthony Davis at center.

In the end, the Lakers would love to be able to trade for Myles Turner or Walker Kessler, even if it cost them two first round picks and even if it only left them with second round picks to trade for a legit 3&D POA guard.

1. Myles Turner, 6′ 11″ 250 lbs, 28 yrs, $19.9M 1-year
14.9 pts, 7.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.1 blk, 0.8 stl in 31.3 mpg
48.4% 11.1 FGA, 39.2% 4.9 3PA, 72.3% 3.0 FTA pg

2. Walker Kessler, 7′ 0″ 245 lbs, 23 yrs, $2.9M 2-years
10.4 pts, 11.0 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.8 blk, 0.5 stl in 29.8 mpg
69.3% 5.7 FGA, 66.7% 0.1 3PA, 52.3% 2.6 FTA pg

3. Robert Williams, 6′ 9″ 249 lbs, 27 yrs, $12.4M 2-years
6.8 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.5 blk, 0.7 stl in 16.5 mpg
72.1% 3.9 FGA, 33.3% 0.3 3PA, 92.3% 1.2 FTA pg

4. Nikola Vucevic, 6′ 10″ 260 lbs, 34 yrs, $20.0M 2-years
20.6 pts, 10.0 reb, 3.3 ast, 0.7 blk, 0.8 stl in 32.2 mpg
56.8% 14.6 FGA, 45.3% 4.7 3PA, 83.1% 2.2 FTA pg

Lakers traded 2027 FRP w/1-4 protection to Jazz.
If pick is 1-4, Jazz get Lakers 2027 SRP.
Lakers then traded 2027 SRP to Nets for DFS.
This means if 2027 FRP is 1-4, Jazz get nada.
Motivation for Jazz to want to remove protection.
Lakers and Jazz may already have made deal. https://t.co/XOzU2bCjDJ

— LakerTom (@LakerTom) December 31, 2024