Lakerholics

After Anthony Davis’ initial injury and before Luka Doncic’s trade, JJ Redick had already implemented a series of strategy changes that would magically transform the Lakers’ pre-Luka offense and defense into top-5 juggernauts.

The Lakers were already top-5 offense and defense before trading for Luka. During the 5 wins after Davis’ injury, the Lakers’ 125.9 offensive rating was #3, their 106.4 defensive rating #3, and their +19.5 net rating #2 in the NBA. The 25-year old Euro superstar Luka Doncic is without question the best possible LeBron James clone the Lakers could have hoped to be able to get. Like always, the Lakers somehow miraculously found their next legend.

For Lakers fans, this offseason has been a 4-ring drama circus that opened with the JJ Redick/Dan Hurley act, followed by the DLO/DFS trade, then the AD/Luka trade, and closed with the rescinded Knecht/Williams trade.
All this noise has overshadowed and hid how much better the Lakers have been playing on both sides of the ball starting last January and peaking during the 5-game win streak after AD injury and before trading for Luka.

Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers have won 6 straight games, 9 of their last 10 games, 12 of their last 14 games, and are essentially tied with the Denver Nuggets for 3rd place in the West with just 19 losses against their 32 wins.
The Lakers are clearly the hottest team in the NBA. They led by more than 20 points in 9 of last 11 games. Over last 6 games, the Lakers were #1 in league in Team FG%, Team 3P%, Opponent FG%, and Opponent 3P%.

Let’s take a closer look at the key strategic changes JJ Redick made to the Lakers’ offense and defense to catapult them to top-5 status, transform them into juggernauts, and prepare them for playing with Luka Doncic.

Embracing 3-Point Shot & Vertical Spacing

JJ Redick knew when Anthony Davis left the Sixers game that it might have been his last game for the Lakers and that it was now time to start running a new double point guard offense with LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

While the Lakers had enjoyed success using an offense built with Anthony Davis as its hub, there was an unrequired desire by the front office to play faster and shoot more threes than they could do with a Davis hub offense.
Redick’s offense had already been emphasizing elite playmaking and shot making so he immediately started running his double point guard offense with Austin Reaves playing the role of Luka Doncic next to LeBron James.

Over the last 6 games, the Los Angeles Lakers have simply been the hottest team in the NBA, leading the league by shooting 54.1% from the field and 41.6% from deep, both the highest shooting percentages in the entire NBA.
They’ve been blowing opposing teams out, averaging close to 30 assists per game, and simply shooting lights out from everywhere on the court. Over the last 6 games, every single role player on the Lakers had a positive +/-.

While trading Davis exacerbated the Lakers thin center rotation, Hayes and an array of speedy and lethal small ball lineups featuring LeBron, DFS, and Vando playing the five have Los Angeles rocking and rolling on offense.
There are no better switch hunting offensive geniuses in this league than LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the Lakers will have at least one of these generational superstars on the floor for all 48 minutes of every game.

The NBA has never seen a Playmaking Big Three like LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves. They will open and close games with all three and stagger and have at least two of them on the court for all 48 minutes.

Building Elite Defense Around Luka Doncic

Knowing his superstar rim protector was likely gone, Redick had to figure out not only how to replace AD but also how to upgrade a defense that had not been elite even with Davis and also had several huntable defenders.

While switch-hunting will be a major offensive strategy by LeBron and Luka, avoiding switch-hunting has to be a major objective of Redick’s new defensive strategy, especially if he is starting LeBron, Luka and Reaves.
The Lakers new defensive strategy calls for more trapping and doubling rather than switching, especially when opposing scorers are hunting a weak defender, and trusting their ability to make timely smart rotations.

During the Lakers current 6-game win streak, we’ve seen this strategy work beautifully against the Knicks’ Brunson and Towns, Clippers’ Harden and Leonard, Warriors’ Curry and Hield, and Pacers’ Haliburton and Siakam.
Over the last 6 games, the Lakers used this new defensive strategy to force opposing offenses to shoot an NBA second worst 41.0% from the field and NBA worst 29.5% from deep and to post a 3rd best 106.2 defensive rating.

The beauty of the new strategy is it replaces the passive switch-everything approach Redick tried out earlier in the season with a legitimate alpha-dog aggressive approach that focuses on team rather than individual defense.
It’s a system that demands more energy, communication, and rapport by everybody on defense, which is something that also takes advantage of the continuity the Lakers have built by retaining most of their rotation players.

The Lakers anti-switch-hunting defense is a better match for the mentality and skill sets of the Lakers’ rotation players and is a perfect match for their new high speed, 3-point and vertical spaced double point guard offense.

Despite cancelling the Mark Williams trade, the top-5 offense and defense Redick has the Lakers playing without AD during this 5-game win streak is a blueprint not only to survive but to thrive and still win a championship.

While the everybody online was worrying whether Luka would fit with LeBron and what L.A. would do now that Mark Williams failed his physical, JJ Redick suddenly has the Lakers playing championship level basketball. Right now, the Lakers have won 5 in a row and are playing their best basketball of the season, displaying legitimate top-5 NBA offense and defense, without AD and just Jaxson Hayes and a duo of two-way centers.

Frankly, the Lakers have played so well at both ends during this 5-game stretch that not having to integrate a new center in Williams at the same time as a new superstar in Doncic could be end up being a positive move.
One of the strengths of the current roster and reasons why the Lakers are playing so well right now is their roster continuity. Trading Knecht for Williams was a trade specifically designed to retain the current rotation.

What’s clear from the way the Lakers are playing right now is JJ Redick is coming into his own as an elite head coach. To a man, this team has bought into how JJ wants them to play and the results have been sensational.
After the loss to the Nets where AD was injured, the Lakers suddenly like an entirely different team. They’re sharing the ball and raining threes on offense and doubling, challenging, and rotating on a string on defense.

What’s behind the Lakers’ sudden elite performance over the last 5 games? Offensively, they’ve suddenly starting to share the ball like JJ wants and were #1 in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage the last 5 games.
Defensively, the Lakers without AD are playing like a legitimate top-5 team. They’re doubling and trapping pick-and-rolls and and rotating like a team on a string. #1 in opponent field goal and 3-point percentage last 5 games.

The Lakers’ 5-game win streak is the perfect blueprint for how the Lakers win the NBA championship: Offensively, post highest field goal and 3-point percentages. Defensively, post lowest field goal and 3-point percentages.

With Davis likely to be out until after the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Lakers need to stop searching for the ‘best’ deal and focus instead on offers for Turner or Kessler the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz cannot refuse.

Myles Turner and Walker Kessler are clearly the two center trade targets who would be the best fits as starting fives alongside Anthony Davis in a two-bigs lineup that could transform the Laker’ championship aspirations. The challenge facing the Lakers is they’re likely going to have to overpay to get Turner or Kessler. They’re going to have to make an offer that is so good the Pacers and Jazz have no option but to accept the Lakers’ offer.

While the Lakers claim Davis’ injury is not serious enough to change their trade deadline plans, the simple reality is that the Lakers are likely to miss Anthony Davis until teams return from the All-Star break on February 19th.
The Lakers are currently still 5th in the West with a 26–19 record but will face a challenge to prevent sliding into and out of the play-in tournament as they will struggle to survive the next 7 games without Anthony Davis.

The Lakers need make a trade for Myles Turner or Walker Kessler right now. Every day Rob Pelinka waits hoping for a better deal just increases the odds that the Lakers will surely miss out on the ‘right’ players by waiting.
Without AD, the Lakers will be lucky to go 3–4 the next 7 games, leaving them at 29–23 and #7 seed. Going 2–5 would plunge them to 28–24 and #9 seed and going 1–6 would leave them at 27–25 and out of play-in at #11.

The Lakers must get serious and go all-in with offers the Pacers and Jazz simple cannot turn down. They have enough draft capital to make a trade with both the Pacers and the Jazz. They just need the will and courage.

The Myles Turner Trade

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The Lakers should offer the Pacers the contracts of Rui Hachimura and Jalen Hood-Schifino plus their unprotected 2029 first round pick, 2030 first round pick swap, and 2031 unprotected first round pick for Myles Turner.

Long coveted by the Lakers, Myles Turner is the perfect modern two-way stretch five center to play alongside of and backup Anthony Davis when he goes to the bench. Time may have finally come for the Lakers to get Turner.
There’s no question Myles is probably the best possible fit as a second big next to AD. While the Lakers have chosen to pass on trading for Turner in the past because he was not a ‘superstar,’ the timing right now is perfect.

The Indiana Pacers would have no option other than to accept the Lakers offer of three post-LeBron James unprotected first round picks for Turner. The Lakers post-LeBron picks would be the gold standard of draft capital.
L.A. would also have no problem expanding the trade to other NBA teams. Indiana could turn around and use the 2030 pick swap to expand the trade to include Portland and Robert Williams III or Toronto and Jacob Poeltl.

The Lakers could add other players like Lonzo Ball or Bruce Brown to the trade to address their need for better point-of-attack perimeter defense and to replace D’Angelo Russell’s volume 3-point shooting and elite playmaking.
Both Ball or Brown could likely be acquired for the Lakers two available second round picks and would immediately help improve their perimeter defense and upgrade their overall team speed, size, and athleticism.

The Lakers need to stop searching for ‘best’ deal and make the Pacers an offer for Myles Turner that includes three shots at a #1 draft pick via L.A.’s 2029, 2030, and 2031 post-LeBron James unprotected first round picks.

The Walker Kessler Trade

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The Lakers should offer the Jazz the contracts of Jackson Hayes and Cam Reddish plus their 2029 unprotected first round pick, 2031 unprotected first round pick, and eliminate protection from their 2027 first round pick.

A dynamic young center, 23-year old Walker Kessler is the perfect bruising defensive center to play alongside of and backup Anthony Davis when he goes to the bench. Kessler’s youth and rookie contract are huge pluses.
While Kessler cannot space the floor like Turner, his overall upside due to his young age, cheap rookie contract, and low trade cost in matching salaries make him the best option for the lakers to pursue financially.

The Utah Jazz should have no option other than to accept the Lakers offer of essentially three post-LeBron James unprotected first round picks for Kessler. Utah would have the Lakers unprotected 2027,2029, and 2031 firsts.
L.A. would also have no problem expanding the trade to other NBA teams. Danny Ainge would love to add the Lakers post-LeBron unprotected first round picks to his unprotected post-Kevin Durant 2031 first round pick.

One of the big benefits of trading for Walker Kessler is he would not require the contract or contracts of any rotation players, which means the Lakers would have all their tradable contracts available for a second move.
That second move for a point-of-attack perimeter defender like Lonzo Ball or Bruce Brown would be easier to make after a Kessler trade than a Turner trade, which would force the Lakers to move Vincent and Vanderbilt

The Lakers need to stop searching for ‘best’ deal and make the Jazz an offer for Walker Kessler that includes three shots at a #1 draft pick via L.A.’s 2027, 2029, and 2031 post-LeBron James unprotected first round picks.

The Lakers don’t have to look further than Russell Westbrook to remember the most important factor in winning trades is targeting the right players. By definition, getting the ‘right’ player or players is how teams win trades.

Frankly, the Lakers waiting until the trade deadline to get a better deal is simply allowing the trade market to determine whom we end up with rather than identifying and pursuing the ‘right’ player(s) for best price. The Lakers would be smarter to focus on negotiating the best possible deal for the ‘right’ player or players rather than settling for whatever players are still remaining on the table before the February 6, 2025 trade deadline.

The Lakers ownership and management’s lack of a vision and fear of making another Westbrook mistake has paralyzed them for almost two full years, raising reasonable fears Rob could end up doing nothing again.
Kicking the problem down the road until next summer would doom the current roster to a near impossible play-in route to the championship and throw doubt on the Lakers futures of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Embracing analytics and assessing risks are the keys to determining what teams need and which available players on the market possess the needed skills to empower the Lakers to turn those weaknesses into strengths.
Right now, the Lakers have #12 offensive rating, #24 defensive rating, and #21 net rating. While they need speed, size, and athleticism on defense, they also still need to replace Russell’s 3-point shooting and playmaking.

So let’s take a look at three alpha point-of-attack defenders, three bruising rim-protecting centers, and three elite shotmakers and playmakers whom the Lakers should be targeting via trade before the February 6 deadline.

Three Alpha Point of Attack Defenders

The three alpha point-of-attack defenders the Lakers should target to fix their perimeter defense issues are Bulls’ point guard Lonzo Ball, Grizzlies’ point guard Marcus Smart, and Pelicans’ small forward Herb Jones.

Lonzo Ball not only has the highest ceiling offensively and defensively but also the lowest floor of the three point-of-attack defenders due to his injury history and the untested experimental surgery that was done on his knee.
A healthy, near 100% Lonzo Ball shutting down opposing guards and wings on defense while dealing all-star quality dimes, igniting Showtime fast breaks, and raining pull-up threes on offense would be a game changer.

Former DPOY Marcus Smart would be the safest and surest of the three point-of-attack defenders. He’s struggled with injuries, has not adjusted to not playing for the Celtics, and has been relegated to coming off the bench.
A trade to the Lakers could be exactly what Marcus Smart needs to get his career back on track. Smart’s not the 3-point shooter or dazzling playmaker Lonzo is but he’s proven he possesses the heart and soul of a champion.

The real wild card of the three point-of-attack defenders is the Pelicans’ Herb Jones, who’s one the premier 1-on-1 perimeter defenders in the entire league but who also just tore his labrum and will be out indefinitely.
Jones is the type of generational defensive talent that the Lakers should consider trading for as a smart long-term commitment to elite defense, especially if there’s still a chance Herb could return for the playoffs.

The Lakers’ should target one of these three alpha point-of-attack defenders to shut down opponent’s lead ball handler or scorer while holding their own offensively as a shooter, rebounder, or playmaker.

Three Bruising Rim-Protecting Centers

The three bruising rim-protecting centers the Los Angeles Lakers should target to to play alongside and/or backup Anthony Davis are the Pacers’ Myles Turner, Trail Blazers’ Robert Williams III, and Jazz’ Walker Kessler.

The Pacers’ Myles Turner would be the second big for the Lakers to target before the trade deadline. Turner has long been coveted by the Lakers not only for his shot blocking but also for his space-creating 3-point shooting.
While Turner’s not formally available, the fact that he will become an unrestricted free agent this summer means the Pacers could be tempted by a strong offer. Turner would expensive but the perfect second big for L.A.

While Robert Williams III is not the floor-stretching 3-point threat that Myles Turner is, he’s still a lethal two-way threat who can throw down thunder dunks on offense and can defend all 5 positions at all 3 levels.
While Robert’s injury history is a risk, he’s fully recovered now and on an under-market-if-healthy 2-year deal for $12M and $13M per year. Trading second round picks for Williams would be a low risk, high reward move.

Walker Kessler may or may not be available for trade depending on the offer. Of the three bruising rim-protecting center, he could have both the highest floor and highest ceiling because of his age and contract.
The Jazz reportedly want two first round picks for Kessler. The Lakers are willing to give up one pick and remove protection from their 2027 first round pick that the Jazz own. Lakers could still sweeten this deal.

The Lakers should target one of these three bruising rim-protecting centers to play alongside Anthony Davis in a dominating two-bigs lineup and/or back him up and protect the basket when he goes to the bench to rest.

Three Elite Shotmakers & Playmakers

The three elite shotmakers and playmakers the Lakers should target to replace the points and assists lost by trading D’Angelo Russell should be the Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls, Zach LaVine, or the Raptors’ Kelly Olynyk.

Pairing veteran Bulls’ center Nikola Vucevic‘s’ high volume and percentage 3-point shooting and elite rebounding and playmaking with Anthony Davis’ defense in a two-bigs starting lineup would totally transform the Lakers.
While only an average rim protector (0.8 blocks/game), Vucevic’s a bruising banger in the post and an automatic double-double averaging 20.1/10.4/3.3 and shooting 42.7% from deep on a solid volume of 4.7 threes per game.

Zach LaVine remains an intriguing elite shotmaking and playmaking option for the Lakers, especially if the Bulls are willing to make a deal that does not involve any of the Lakers first round draft picks or swaps.
Lavine is still only 29 years old and appears to be finally be fully healthy and playing and shooting at an elite level, averaging 23.8/4.9/4.5 and shooting a blistering 45.5% from deep on a volume of 7.1 threes per game.

Kelly Olynyk is another solid option to give the Lakers more shotmaking and playmaking. Olynyk does it all, averaging 6.1/3.4/2.2 in just 14.7 minutes per game while shooting 44.4% from deep on 1.5 threes per game.
Kelly brings great size at 6′ 11″ and 240 lbs and the speed and ability to play small-ball five while still being big enough to rebound and protect the rim. Kelly Olynyk would add a powerful new weapon to the Lakers arsenal.

The Lakers need to trade for one of these three elite shotmakers and playmakers to give their offense a needed boost and replace the scoring and playmaking lost when they traded point guard D’Angelo Russell.

With less than 4 weeks until the trade deadline, the Lakers are still hoping forwards Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood will return from their injuries in time to properly evaluate what they have and what they need.

While Hachimura is currently still starting, rookie Lakers’ head coach JJ Redick will likely replace him as starter with Dorian Finney-Smith, who’s been the team’s most productive player since trading for him 5 games ago. As currently constructed, the Los Angeles Lakers’ best 10-man rotation when everybody is healthy is Reaves, Christie, Finney-Smith, James, and Davis backed up by Vincent, Knecht, Vanderbilt, Hachimura, and Wood.

While their best 10-man rotation if healthy is better than their current rotation, the Lakers still need an elite 3&D guard to defend point-of-attack and a quality backup center to protect the rim when Anthony Davis rests.
Strategically, the Lakers draft capital includes 3 first round picks (2029, 2030, & 2031) with only two tradable (2029 & 2031), two first round pick swaps (2026 & 2028), and two second round picks (LAL 2025, LAC 2025).

While defense has the top priority, the Lakers can’t simply trade 1-way offensive players for 1–way defensive players. They need two-way players who cannot be played off the court because of poor offense or defense.
That means defense-first players must be able to hold their on offense and offense-first players must be able to defend their position on defense. The Lakers need cohesive and balanced championship 10-man rotations.

So let’s take a closer look at three possible championship 10-man rotations the Los Angeles Lakers could realistically create using existing contracts and draft capital before the February 6, 2025 NBA trade deadline.

1. Traditional Positions 10-Man Rotation

Trading for elite perimeter defender Marcus Smart to start at point guard and proven defensive center Day’Ron Sharpe to backup Anthony Davis at center would give the Lakers a traditional championship 10-man rotation.

Adding legitimate 3&D two-way rotation players like Marcus Smart and Day’Ron Sharpe to replace one-way players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura dramatically improves the Lakers starting lineup’s defense.
The Lakers traditional positions starting lineup includes Smart, Christie, Finney-Smith, James, and Davis backed up by Reaves, Knecht, Vanderbilt, Wood, and Sharpe and fills the POA guard and backup center roles.

The Lakers new starting lineup would surround superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis with three elite two-way players who can both shoot the three and defend their positions to form a championship starting lineup.
While Anthony Davis still has to play center, sticking with the traditional five positions allows LeBron James to play his favored power forward, which means he doesn’t have to guard smaller quicker shooting wings.

Smart and Sharpe earn $24.2M per year so trading for them would cost the Lakers Hachimura, Vincent, and Hood-Schifino, who together make $31.9M per year. Trade would open up 1 roster spot and save $7.7M.
The Lakers would likely also have to give the Grizzlies an unprotected first round pick and the Nets a pair of 2025 second round picks as draft capital sweeteners to get them to agree to the trades for Smart and Sharpe.

The beauty of the traditional positions 10-man rotation is that it gives the Lakers the best combination of improved speed and athleticism of the 3 championship 10-man rotations the Lakers could realistically execute.

2. Two-Bigs Defensive 10-Man Rotation

Trading for elite defensive guard Bruce Brown as point-of-attack perimeter defender and bruising young center Walker Kessler as AD’s partner in a two-bigs defensive lineup would give L.A. a championship 10-man rotation.

Adding legitimate 3&D two-way players like Bruce Brown and Walker Kessler to replace one-way players like Max Christie and Rui Hachimura dramatically improves the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup’s defense.
The Lakers two-bigs defensive starting lineup includes Reaves, Brown, James, Davis, and Kessler backed up by Milton, Knecht, Vanderbilt, Finney-Smith, and Wood and fills the POA guard and backup center roles.

The Lakers’ new starting lineup would move LeBron James and Anthony Davis down a position so new defense-first center Walker Kessler could start in a two-bigs defensive starting lineup that could be dominating.
Despite a Jekyll and Hyde shifting balance between offense and defense, the Lakers are still at heart a better offensive team than defensive team. Trading for Brown and Kessler clearly shifts that dynamic toward defense.

Brown and Kessler earn $25.5M per year so trading for them would cost the Lakers Hachimura, Vincent, and Hood-Schifino, who together make $31.9M per year. Trade would open up 1 roster spot and save $6.4M.
The Lakers would likely also have to give the Raptors a pair of 2025 second round picks for Brown and the Jazz an unprotected first round pick plus remove protection from 2027 pick to get them to agree to trade Kessler.

What makes the Lakers’ two-bigs defensive 10-man rotation so powerful is it can pair Anthony Davis and Walker Kessler in a dominant two-bigs lineup as well as stagger them so one is always on the court protecting the rim.

3. Two-Bigs Modern 10-Man Rotation

Lakers Trade for Lonzo Ball & Nikola Vucevic

Trading for an elite 3&D point guard Lonzo Ball and veteran center Nikola Vucevic who reinvented himself as a stretch five would give the Lakers a championship two-bigs modern starting lineup and 10-man rotation.

Adding an elite 3&D two-way player as point-of-attack perimeter defender and a stretch five center who’s reinvented himself as a high volume, high percentage stretch five totally turbocharges the Lakers starting lineup.
The Lakers two-bigs modern starting lineup includes Ball, Christie, James, Davis, and Vucevic backed up by Reaves, Knecht, Finney-Smith, Wood, and Koloko and adequately fills the POA guard and backup center needs.

The Lakers’ new starting lineup would move LeBron James and Anthony Davis down a position so new stretch five center Nikola Vucevic could start in a two-bigs modern starting lineup that could dominate at both ends.
Despite a Jekyll and Hyde shifting balance between offense and defense, the Lakers are still at heart a better offensive team than defensive team. Trading for Ball and Vucevic dramatically improves Lakers at both ends.

Ball and Vucevic earn $41.8M per year so trades would cost the Lakers Hachimura, Vincent, Vanderbilt, and Jalen Hood-Schifino, who together earn $42.5M per year. Trade would open 1 roster spot and cost $0.7M.
The Lakers would also have to give the Bulls an unprotected first round pick plus a pair of 2025 second round picks to get them to agree to trade both Ball and Vucevic. Lakers give up more salary but same draft capital.

Trading for Ball and Vucevic would give the Lakers a dynamic modern starting lineup and 10-man rotation that could be the best option of the three possible championship 10-man rotations the Lakers could execute.