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Alex Caruso

How Lakers Acquire Third Superstar, POA guard, & Modern NBA Center

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The challenge for the Los Angeles Lakers this summer will be how to add the third superstar, elite perimeter defender, and modern two-way center they need to win a championship without exceeding the second tax apron.

The bad news is the Lakers most likely don’t have enough trading chips to solve all three of their major roster needs this summer, which means they may have to choose between third star, POA guard, and modern center.
The good news is the Bulls may be desperate enough to trade superstar Zach LaVine to the Lakers for just matching salaries, allowing L.A. instead to use their newfound draft capital for a POA guard and modern center

The Bulls salary dumping Zach LaVine could open a door for the Lakers to pull off an stunning blockbuster trade for a third superstar, POA guard, and modern center as starters alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
If the Lakers could trade for Zach LaVine without giving up a pick, they could then use the picks and swaps not used for a third superstar to trade for a POA guard like Alex Caruso and modern center like Jonathan Isaac.

A Lakers’ starting lineup of Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Jonathan Isaac could be the best two-way starting lineup in the league and make the Lakers one of the league’s top teams.
The Lakers would also have a solid bench anchored by three rotation players from last season in Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood, and Max Christie as well as possible rookies like Zach Edey and Bronny James.

While the Los Angeles Lakers still believe they can build a championship caliber team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they also know the clock is running out and they soon need to find a replacement for James.
The Lakers also know competition is only going to get tougher as the league is in the middle of a generational changing of the guard with the younger and more athletic stars and teams now replacing their older counterparts.

Here’s what a blockbuster trade for a third superstar, POA guard, and modern center to transform Lakers into champions would look like plus the team’s resulting depth chart and cap space and luxury tax status.

The Blockbuster Trade

The above three-team trade has the Lakers trading six players — Russell (S&T), Lewis, Hachimura, Reaves, Vincent, and Hood-Schifino — for two players from Bulls — LaVine, Caruso — and one player from Magic — Isaac.

Assuming the Bulls are willing to trade LaVine to the Lakers for just matching salary, what’s missing from the above trade is the draft capital L.A. would have to give the Chicago for Caruso and Orlando for Isaac.
Since the Lakers included Reaves in the trade for LaVine, the Bulls should be satisfied with L.A.’s 2029 or 2031 first round draft pick as additional compensation for Alex Caruso. Pick should have at least top-5 protection.

The other key to the Lakers being able to pull off a blockbuster three-team trade to add a third star, POA guard, and modern center is getting D’Angelo Russell to accept his player option so he can be included in the trade.
What the Lakers may need to do is guarantee D’Angelo Russell a new 3-year contract with 3rd year player option for at least $23 million per year via either a sign-and-trade or new contract if actual S&T cannot be negotiated.

The bigger question for the Los Angeles Lakers would be what kind of draft capital would they have to offer the Orlando Magic to motivate them to trade Jonathan Isaac, who’s become an extremely valuable rotation player.
Although only 26-years old, Isaac has essentially missed almost three full seasons due to injury so the Lakers trading for him or the Magic re-signing him to a bigger contract could be a major gamble despite his elite talent.

Ideally, the Lakers’ offer to the Magic should include a sign-and-trade for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and L.A.’s 2029 or 2031 first round pick plus and an additional pick swap but not the Lakers 2024 first round pick.
Assuming the Pelicans will opt to allow the Lakers to keep #17 pick in this draft and instead take their 2025 first round draft pick, L.A. could then use their #17 pick on Zach Edey as backup center and the #55 pick on Bronny.

The Los Angeles Lakers have always been a franchise willing to shoot for the moon and never afraid of thinking big. The Lakers need a third star, POA defensive guard, and modern two-way center to win a championship.

The Lakers’ Depth Chart

The strength of the Lakers’ new roster is the starting lineup of Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Jonathan Isaac, which boasts three elite defenders and five players who can shoot the three ball.

There was no question that surrounding LeBron James and Anthony Davis with D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura did not provide enough size or defense for the Lakers to compete for a championship.
But replacing Russell and Reaves with Caruso and LaVine and moving James and Davis down a position from power forward and center opens a lineup spot for Isaac to start at center next to AD in a two-bigs lineup.

The Lakers’ new starting lineup of Caruso, LaVine, James, Davis, and Isaac should be a dramatic improvement in offensive firepower and scoring over last season’s starting lineup with LaVine being the main difference maker.
LaVine should thrive as the Lakers’ third superstar, alongside James and Davis and when replacing one of them in the lineup. Ideally, the Lakers should be able to have at least two superstars on the court all the time.

Defensively, the Lakers’ new starting lineup would boast an elite point-of-attack defensive guard in Alex Caruso as well as a second elite switchable defensive big to protect the rim alongside Anthony Davis in Jonathan Isaac.
What’s impressive about the Lakers’ starting lineup is every player defends. There’s no DLO or Reaves or easy mark for teams to target and the lineup has championship size and length with three All-Defensive quality starters.

The Lakers’ reserves provide a diverse mix of versatile skills that can help contribute at both ends of the court and include three valued returnees from last year in Max Christie, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Christian Wood.
Add the players the Lakers select with the #17 and #55 picks in the draft, (for example, center Zach Edey and guard Bronny James) and the Lakers would start free agency with a solid 10-man rotation and five open spots.

By taking on LaVine’s bad contract, the Lakers acquired the third superstar they need without giving up picks, which then allowed them to expand the LaVine trade to use their draft capital instead to acquire Caruso and Isaac.

The Lakers’ Salary Cap

The above salary cap shows how the Lakers can add a third superstar, POA defensive guard, and modern two-way center and still have a deep and diverse roster without exceeding the dreaded second luxury tax apron.

While the new CBA makes it nearly impossible to build a championship team with three superstars earning more than $40 million per year, it can be done by targeting the right superstar, POA guard, and modern center.
For the Lakers, the key is the Bulls willingness to move LaVine with no draft capital in return, which would enable L.A. to use their available 3 picks and 4 swaps to trade for the POA guard and modern center they need.

Despite the salary cap hit and worrisome injury history, the opportunity to trade for a legitimate superstar like LaVine for just matching salary is hard to resist, especially if you then use the draft capital for Caruso and Isaac. With LeBron turning 40 next season, the Lakers would be smart to find his replacement sooner than later. LaVine would give L.A. the third superstar James wants while still keeping the trading chips for a guard and center.

The trades for Caruso and Isaac were specifically structured to give the Lakers cap space room for the dump of LaVine’s salary. The Lakers most L.A. Afford was Caruso‘’s $9.8 million and Isaac $17.4 million per year.
Were the Lakers to trade for players with combined salaries greater than $27.2 million, they would then exceed the second tax apron, which next season brings draconian financial taxes and non-competitive penalties.

Of course, Alex Caruso as the POA defender could easily be Marcus Smart, or Luguentz Dort, or Herb Jones and Jonathan Isaac as the modern two-way big could be Lauri Markkanen, Alperen Sengun, or Myles Turner.
The key is finding a starting elite point-of-attack defensive guard and a starting modern two-way center with combined salaries not greater than $27.2 million who would perfectly complement James, Davis, and LaVine.

Even if the Lakers decide not to trade for Zach LaVine, they should use their available draft capital to trade for an elite starting POA defensive guard and a starter quality modern two-way center rather than on a third superstar.

Lakers Should Copy This Summer What The Celtics Did Last Summer

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The smartest thing the Lakers could do this summer is copy what the Celtics did last summer and use their draft picks to trade for an elite point-of-attack guard and two-way modern center rather than a third superstar.

Last summer, the Boston Celtics faced a situation very similar to what the Los Angeles Lakers will face this summer: how to build a championship starting lineup and rotation around two superstar players in their prime.
Much like this season’s Lakers, last season’s Celtics were a team with two legitimate superstars and a collection of highly respected role players that had struggled to live up to its potential and needed a major upgrade.

Unlike the Lakers, who reportedly want to trade for a third superstar with their eyes on the Hawks’ Trae Young, the Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell, or the Mavs’ Kyrie Irving, the Celtics smartly went in the opposite direction.
They used first round picks and tradable contracts to land the elite point-of-attack defender they needed in Jrue Holiday and two-way modern center they needed to stretch the floor and protect the rim in Kristaps Porzingis.

The result was a Boston Celtics team that has the best record in the league by far and the #1 offensive rating, #2 defensive rating, and #1 net rating. Worst of all, Boston is now the favorite to win its 18th NBA championship.
Talk about a harsh reality that should jolt the Lakers’ ownership and front office and make them realize the last thing they need is a third superstar. The Celtics showed the Lakers exactly what they should do this summer.

Let’s take a closer look at how the Lakers this summer could copy what the Celtics did last summer and use their draft capital and tradable contracts to land an elite point-of-attack defender and two-way modern stretch center.

Celtics’ Holiday & Porzingis Trades

Like this season’s Lakers, last season’s Celtics needed two things to become legitimate championship contenders: better point-of-attack defense and a modern two-way center who can both stretch the floor and protect the rim.

Boston’s mega trades last summer for Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday transformed the Celtics from a second-tier competitor to the best team in the NBA and the odds-on favorite to win their 18th NBA championship.
The Lakers’ Rob Pelinka needs to take a close look at what the Celtics’ Brad Stevens accomplished with his two blockbuster trades to transform Boston into a championship contender because it’s also the right solution for L.A.

Stevens’ first move at the end of last season was to trade Marcus Smart, plus salary filler in Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala, and an early second round pick for Kristaps Porzingis and a pair of late first round picks.
Before the start of the season, Brad pulled off a second mega trade for point-of-attack guard Jrue Holiday to replace Marcus Smart, giving up Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, and two late first round draft picks.

Those savvy moves resulted in the Celtics swapping Smart, Gallinari, Muscala, Brogdon, and Williams for Porzingis, Holiday, and an early second round pick. Porzingis’ trade gave them picks to use for Holiday.
That’s a consolidation effort that dramatically upgraded the Celtics from a tier-2 competitor to the championship favorite and set Brad Stevens up to win the league’s Executive of the Year award should Boston win #18.

The needs of this season’s Lakers and last season’s Celtics are so similar that the Rob Pelinka would be derelict if he did not consider replicating the trades Brad Stevens made rather than chasing after a third superstar.

Who Could Be Lakers’ Holiday?

The Lakers’ top prospects to fill their need for a starting defensive guard who can elevate the team’s point-of-attack defense like Jrue Holiday has done for the Celtics are the Bull’s Alex Caruso and Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart.

Bringing back Alex Caruso to be the team’s starting shooting guard and point-of-attack perimeter defender playing alongside starting point guard D’Angelo Russell would be the perfect solution for the Los Angeles Lakers.
As an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection last season, Alex would be the perfect backcourt mate to play with D’Angelo Russell. Pelinka should try to swap Gabe Vincent and a protected first round draft pick for Alex Caruso.

Caruso could start at shooting guard alongside Russell, allowing Reaves to move to the bench as the team’s 6th man and backcourt mate for Spencer Dinwiddie, whom the Lakers should clearly try to re-sign for next season.
Russell and Caruso starting backed up by Dinwiddie and Reaves off the bench would upgrade and strengthen the Lakers’ backcourt and rotation going forward, giving them desperately needed backcourt stability.

The Lakers’ other candidate to be starting shooting guard and point-of-attack defender would be the Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart, who was the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics’ defense before being traded to Memphis.
Like Caruso, Smart would give the Lakers’ starting lineup a defense-first option while enabling Reaves to move to the bench with Dinwiddie. If Pelinka cannot land Caruso, Smart would be an equally strong candidate.

The los Angeles Lakers should trade for either the Bull’s Alex Caruso or the Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart this summer to replace Austin Reaves as starting shooting guard and be their primary point-of-attack perimeter defender.

Who Could Be Lakers’ Porzingis?

The Lakers’ top prospects for a modern two-way big who can stretch the floor and protect the rim like Kristaps Porzingis has done for the Celtics are Magic’s power forward Jonathan Isaac and Raptors’ center Kelly Olynyk.

Finding a modern two-way center who could start alongside Anthony Davis in a two-bigs lineup, stretch the court with his 3-point shooting, and help protect the rim should be the Lakers’ other major priority this summer.
The Lakers’ top candidates for a second big to play with AD are the Magics’ Jonathan Isaac and the Raptors’ Kelly Olynyk, both of whom could play alongside or back up Anthony Davis at center so he can play the four.

The oft-injured but uber-talented Isaac is currently backing up Paolo Banchero and averaging 6.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 15.0 minutes per game while shooting 52.9/36.8/72.9%.
Jonathan would be a perfect fit next to AD. He has one year and $17.4 million left on his Magic contract and Pelinka should be able to acquire him this summer for Rui Hachimura and a first round draft pick.

The other intriguing modern two-way center the Lakers should consider is the Raptors’ Kelly Olynyk, who will be a free agent whom the Lakers should be able to acquire this summer for Rui Hachimura and a first round pick.
Whereas Isaac is slightly better on D than O, Olynyk is slightly better on O than D. He’s currently averaging 9.1 points, 5.0 boards, 4.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game shooting 55.0/40.5/81.7%.

The Los Angeles Lakers should trade for Jonathan Isaac or Kelly Olynyk to be their second big who could play alongside Anthony Davis in a two-bigs starting lineup or back up AD at center when he rests on the bench.

How Would Lakers & Celtics Matchup?

Head-to-head, a new Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup of Russell, Caruso, James, Davis, and Isaac matches up well against the Boston Celtics’ current juggernaut starting lineup of Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, and Porzingis.

Both starting lineups boast pairs of legitimate top-10 superstars who can dominate any given game surrounded by three championship-quality starters who can shoot, pass, rebound, and defend at a premier level.
Both starting lineups also feature five players who can shoot the three, lockdown point-of-attack defensive guards who can stop penetration, and modern two-way centers who can space the floor and protect the rim.

Putting together a championship caliber starting lineup can be extremely expensive, especially if it causes teams to go over the luxury tax thresholds. Right now, the Boston Celtics are projected to have $183.6 million payroll.
The Celtics starters alone make $155.7 million per year, with four of the five starters earning over $30 million per annum. That payroll will cost the Celtics $39.5 million in luxury taxes for a grand total of $223.1 million.

Should the Lakers pull off mega trades for Alex Caruso and Jonathan Isaac, they will find themselves in a far better salary cap and luxury tax situation than the Celtics did after trading for Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.
While Holiday and Porzingis earn $36.9 and $36.0 million per year, Caruso and Isaac only earn $9.5 and $17.4 million per year. That would let Lakers maintain a starting lineup payroll of $132.4 million, total payroll of $168.1 million, luxury tax of $7.0 million, for grand total of just $175.1 million.

Copying what last season’s Celtics did to build a championship starting lineup but targeting a less expensive lockdown perimeter defender and modern two-way center should be the Lakers game plan this summer.

3 Moves To Help The Lakers Win Legitimate NBA Championship

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Despite a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis and high hopes for the rest of the team, the Lakers’ recent losses and poor play with a roster that’s finally healthy confirms they’re not a legitimate championship contender.

What’s frustrating is the Lakers still haven’t fixed the three major problems from last season: they need a point guard who can defend, an elite volume 3-point shooting wing, and a shot blocking, rim protecting backup center. Unfortunately, D’Angelo Russell is still the starting point guard and weak link defensively, Taurean Prince the starting small forward and coach Ham favorite, and Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood the pair of unplayable bigs.

It’s not just the eyeball test that says the Lakers need to make major moves before the trade deadline if they want to be a legitimate contender for the 2024 NBA championship. The stats are telling us the exact same story.
Right now, the Lakers are 15–12 and 8th in the West. Their offensive rating is 24th, their defensive rating 8th, and their net rating 18th. For the last 4 games, they dropped to 23rd in offense, 17th in defense, and 20th in net.

The Lakers as currently constructed are not a legitimate championship contender. They need an upgrade defensively at point guard, a proven high volume 3-point shooting wing, and a trustworthy defensive backup center.
A healthy Gabe Vincent returning from injury could be answer to replacing D’Angelo Russell with a better defender. Unfortunately, L.A. will have to trade for a volume 3-point shooter and backup center who can defend.

Bottom line, to win the NBA championship, the Lakers must replace D’Angelo Russell with a true 3&D starter, Taurean Prince with a proven high volume 3-point shooter, and Jaxson Hayes with a rim protecting center.

1. Options To Replace D’Angelo Russell

ALEX CARUSO, MARCUS SMART, GABE VINCENT

The Lakers’ top three options to replace D’Angelo Russell as their starting point guard with a legitimate two-way, 3&D, defense-first guard should be Gabe Vincent, the Bulls’ Alex Caruso, and the Grizzlies’ Marcus Smart.

3. Gabe Vincent. Before making any moves, the Lakers need to know whether a healthy Gabe Vincent could be the starting point guard and offer better shooting and point-of-attack defense than D’Angelo Russell.
There are still big questions about Vincent’s role on the Lakers. He’s a better point-of-attack defender than Russell but not as good a 3-point shooter. Ideally, his best role should be as Lakers’ backup point guard.

  • Gabe Vincent, 6′ 2″, 200 lbs, 27-years old, $10.5M, 3-yrs
    2022–23: 9.4/2.1/2.5 on 8.3/5.1/1.1 shots for 40.2/33.4/87.2%
    2023–24: 6.0/1/0/3.0 on 7.0/3.5/0.5 shots for 39.3/7.1/50.0%

2. Marcus Smart. Any team seeking players to give them a defensive identity needs to consider trading for Marcus Smart, a 3-time NBA All-Defensive First Team player and 2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Smart has to be hurting after being traded by the Celtics and what better franchise to give him a chance to redeem his game and brand in L.A. and show Boston what a massive mistake they make by trading him.

  • Marcus Smart, 6′ 3″, 220 lbs, 29-years old, $18.8M, 3-yrs
    2023–24: 12.5/2.5/5.0 on 9.2/4.9/2.4 for 42.9/29.5/81.0%

1. Alex Caruso. The Lakers should never have allowed Caruso to leave. He made the 2023 NBA All-Defensive First Team as a Bull and should be the Lakers top trade option to re-prioritize defense as a point guard priority.
Alex’s contract, All-NBA defense, career high 3-point percentage, and experience and chemistry with LeBron James and Anthony Davis make him the perfect modern point guard for this defense-first Lakers team.

  • Alex Caruso, 6′ 5″, 186 lbs, 29-years old, $9.4M, 2-yrs
    2023–24: 9.4/3.3/2.3 on 6.2/3.4/1.5 shots for 54.0/45.3/75.0%

2. Options To Replace Taurean Prince

LAURI MARKKANEN, BOJAN BOGDANOVIC, BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC

The Lakers’ best three options to replace Taurean Prince as their starting small forward with a proven volume 3-point shooting wing are Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen, Pistons’ Bojan Bogdanovic, and Hawks Bogdan Bogdanovic.

3. Bogdan Bogdanovic. Bogdan is the younger of the two Bogdanovics, who are from different countries and not related. His style of play is more like a shooting guard but he’s developed into a lethal volume 3-point shooter.
Bogdan is averaging 8.3 shots per game beyond the arc and making them at 41.0% clip. He also has the second best defensive rating on the Hawks’ roster this season, which makes him a great fit as volume 3&D wing.

  • Bogdan Bogdanovic, 6′ 5″, 225 lbs, 31-years old, $18.7M, 4-yrs
    2023–24: 17.5/3.4/2.5 on 13.5/8.3/1.6 shots for 46.5/41.0/92.1

2. Bojan Bogdanovic. Bojan is the older and more experienced of the two Bogdanovics. He has the size and bulk to play either forward position and would give the Lakers an elite 3-level offensive option to close out games.
Since Detroit is tanking, Bojan is more available in trade than Bogdan. Should the Lakers be unable to pull of a mega trade for Lauri Markkanen, their next best logical move could be to trade for Bojan Bogdanovic.

  • Bojan Bogdanovic, 6′ 7″, 226 lbs, 34-years old, $20M, 2-yr
    2023–24: 21.1/2.3/2.5 on 14.6/7.4/4.6 shots for 49.6/42.4/75.7%

1. Lauri Markkanen. Lauri Markkanen is the perfect option to replace Taurean Prince at small forward. He not only has the volume shooting stroke the Lakers desperately need but also positional size and length.
The Lakers should go all-in on Lauri and offer the equivalent of three unprotected post-LeBron first round picks, including 2029 pick, removing 1–4 protection from 2027 pick, and adding a 2028 first round pick swap.

  • Lauri Markannen, 7′ 0″, 240 lbs, 26-years old, $17.2M,2-yrs
    2023–24: 23.2/8.5/1.3 on 16.2/8.1/5.1 shots for 48.6/38.4/84.6%

3. Options To Replace Jaxon Hayes

The Lakers’ top three options to replace Jaxson Hayes as their backup center with a defensive big who can protect the rim are the Wizards’ Daniel Gafford, the Jazz’ Kelly Olynyk, and the Warriors’ Draymond Green.

3. Draymond Green. The Lakers will surely be monitoring the Draymond Green situation and will be ready to pounce should the Warriors end up deciding they have no option other than to trade the controversial big.
While the chances of Golden State trading Green to Los Angeles would be slim because of how great a fit Dray would be playing next to his Klutch buddies James and Davis, it’s probably the first call the Lakers make.

  • Draymond Green , 6′ 6′, 230 lbs, 33-years old, $22.3M, 4-yrs
    2023–24: 9.7/5.5/5.8 on 6.9/2.8/2.0 shots for 49.0/42.9/83.3%

2. Kelly Olynyk. While he doesn’t specifically fit the criteria of being a good rim protector, Kelly average 0.2 blocks and 0.8 steals in just 21.6 mpg. Like Green, Olynyk would be a dynamic second big to start alongside Davis.
Olynyk would also be terrific as the Lakers’ backup center as his 3-point shooting, rebounding, and playmaking prowess would be needed skillsets for the Lakers whenever Anthony Davis goes to the bench to rest.

  • Kelly Olynyk, 6′ 11′, 240 lbs, 32-years old, $12.2M, 3-yrs
    2023–24: 7.3/5.8/4.3 on 4.8/1.8/1.6 shots for 53.3/42.2/89.7%

1. Daniel Gafford. The Lakers’ best option to replace Jaxson Hayes as the Lakers backup center is the Wizards’ Daniel Gafford, who’s averaging 2..1 blocks and 0.6 steals in 25.3 mpg. Daniel Gafford is an elite rim protector.
The Lakers have always had a good relationship with the Wizards’ front office and trading for Daniel Gafford should be the Lakers top priority. Gafford would solidify the Lakers defense whenever AD was on the bench.

  • Daniel Gafford, 6′ 10′, 234 lbs, 25-years old, $12.4M, 3-yrs
    2023–24: 10.6/7.7/1.8 on 6.3/0.0/2.6 shots for 69.2/0.0/70.0%

Could Zach LaVine And Alex Caruso Transform Lakers Into Champions?

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The Los Angeles Lakers may have an opportunity to pull off a blockbuster trade before the deadline to acquire superstar shooting guard Zach LaVine and elite point-of-attack point guard Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls.

Emergence of potential super teams in Boston, Milwaukee, and Phoenix and slow starts by the Lakers and Bulls have led to rumors of a possible midseason trades between the two teams focused on LaVine and Caruso.
For a LaVine/Caruso trade to become viable, the Bulls would have to decide before the trade deadline that it was time to rebuild and the Lakers that this season was time to go all-in with their remaining tradable draft capital.

The Lakers want to have their cake and eat it too, walking an impossible tightrope trying win another title before LeBron retires while also building a roster that’s deep and talented enough to contend once James is gone.
One thing about the Lakers is they never forget stars win championships. There’s no Sophie’s Choice for the Lakers over a third star vs. deep roster. The Lakers need a third star so they’ll still have two when Lebron’s gone.

So let’s look at what a Lakers and Bulls trade for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso might look like, what kind of depth the Lakers would still have after the trade, and how the trade might affect the Lakers salary cap position.

The Trade

Trading for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso could transform the Lakers into legitimate championship contenders and secure a third superstar who’s the perfect fit to replace LeBron James and be Anthony Davis’ co-superstar.

Just as importantly, the trade leaves the Lakers with a dramatically better starting lineup and deep and diverse 10-man championship level rotation. LaVine’s their new offensive closer and Caruso their new defensive stopper.
At 28 and 29-years old, Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso are excellent fits for the 30-year old Anthony Davis’ championship window. They suddenly give the Lakers a massive backcourt upgrade in a league dominated by guards.

The Lakers would have to include D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Jalen Hood-Schifino to match salaries and their 2029 first round pick and possible pick swaps to tempt Chicago to make the trade.
While I hate losing Hachimura, LaVine and Casuso definitely provide the Lakers with the superstar offensive scorer and All-NBA defensive stopper the team needs to take their game to the next level and win the title.

Even if the Lakers have to include a pick swap or two, trading for LaVine and Caruso could be the most important move Rob Pelinka and the Lakers could make to win their 18th championship and replace LeBron James.

The Depth Chart

The major challenge for any NBA team with more than two max contract superstars is how to build a roster deep and diverse enough to win when most of the remaining rotation players will be on minimum salaries?

Not only do Caruso, LaVine, James, Davis, and Hayes as starters have more offensive firepower and defensive tenacity than the Lakers’ current starters but Reaves, Reddish, Vanderbilt, Prince, and Wood give them great depth.
The addition of LaVine gives the Lakers a legitimate backcourt superstar, something L.A. especially needs in a guard and wing driven league. Zach gives them their first true championship caliber closer since Kobe Bryant.

Strategically, the Lakers would be smart to make a move sooner rather than later to replace LeBron James. In fact, not only does that give them more time with three superstars but could also motivate LeBron to keep playing.
Meanwhile, getting Alex Caruso back is not only the cherry atop the trade but also the perfect defensive counter to Zach LaVine’s offense. How about a Caruso, Reddish, Vanderbilt, Prince, and Davis defensive ‘Death Lineup.’

The Lakers’ depth chart clearly shows that the team has a dramatically better and more balance starting lineup and 10-man rotation after the trade for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso. Bottom line, trade is worth draft capital.

The Salary Cap

The Lakers were able to trade for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso and still remain below the first luxury tax threshold and hard tax, which is a tribute to Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ salary cap expertise and management.

Being able to build a deep, diverse, and talented roster with the cap space left over after paying max salaries to three superstars is not an easy task that requires a front office adept at finding great players at bargain prices.
What’s allowed the Lakers to trade for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso and still keep a strong 10-man rotation are the important roles and minutes earned by minimum salary project players Wood, Reddish, and Hayes.

The Lakers did a great job cleaning up their salary cap and have a strong portfolio of coveted players on team friendly contracts and three potential post-LeBron James first round picks or swaps to offer for a third superstar. Unlike other super teams who’ve sacrificed roster depth and diversity for more three or more superstars, the Lakers could still trade for a third star, build a deep diverse roster, and avoid the NBA’s two luxury tax thresholds.

After trading for LaVine and Caruso, the Lakers would have a clean cap free of luxury taxes and the flexibility to trade for or sign a third superstar in free agency once LeBron leaves in free agency or retires from the NBA.

Lakers Fast Break – Lakers-Bulls Wrap-Up and Alex Caruso Debate With The Lakerholics!

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It’s Deja Vu for the Lakers as another dismal 3rd quarter performance led to the team getting thrashed once again, this time 121-103 to the Chicago Bulls. Tune in as LakerTom, Jamie Sweet, and Gerald Glassford from lakerholics.com return to share thoughts on the game. Plus, after Alex Caruso’s comments last week on JJ Reddick’s podcast, we debate if letting him go was the right move for the team as he returns to an L.A. sweep over the Lakers and Clippers. All this and what’s up first on the road trip as we head into another Lakers Fast Break podcast!

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