Christian Wood

5 Reasons Why Lakers Should Trade Jarred Vanderbilt for Christian Wood

July 17, 2023 By LakerTom 23 Comments

Just when you thought the Lakers were done making trades this offseason, the Dallas Mavericks raised the possibility that they might be willing to make Christian Wood available in a sign-and-trade for the right player.

This news immediately raised the possibility of the Dallas Mavericks signing-and-trading stretch forward/center Christian Wood for the Los Angeles Lakers ace defensive forward and fan favorite Jarred Vanderbilt. The 27-year old 6′ 9,” 214 lb Wood is the perfect stretch four/five the Lakers need to create space and driving lanes for superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to attack the paint and get to the rim for easy baskets.

While trading Vanderbilt would be a tough pill to swallow, Wood is a greater overall talent and better fit for what LeBron James and Anthony Davis need right now, which is a modern center who can stretch the floor. Under the new CBA rules for team’s under the hard cap, the Lakers could accept a 3-year sign-and-trade contract for as much as $9.6 million per year giving them Wood’s Bird rights so they could go over the cap to re-sign him.

The Lakers should trade for Christian Wood to upgrade the team’s 3-point shooting, add a clutch scorer to close games, increase team’s positional size advantage, secure Wood’s Bird rights, and open a roster spot for Biyombo.

1. Upgrade Team’s 3-Point Shooting

Christian Wood is exactly the kind of elite shooter with 3-point gravity to keep defenders attached and open up floor space and driving lanes for Lakers’ superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to get to the rim.

During the 2022–23 season, the Los Angeles Lakers 31.2 3-point attempts per game ranked 27th, their 10.8 3-point shots made per game ranked 24th, and their 34.6% 3-point completion percentage ranked 25th in the league. During the playoffs, the Lakers 33.5 3-point attempts per game ranked 14th out of 16 teams, their 10.1 3-point shots made per game ranked 13th, and their 33.5% 3-point completion percentage ranked 11th in the league.

In last four seasons, Wood has made 37.6%, 39.0%, and 37.4%, and 38.6% from deep. During those 4 years, he made 367 out of 961 3-point attempts for a completion percentage of 38.2% on 4.0 3-point attempts per game. During his last three years, Vanderbilt averaged 32.2%, 14.3%, and 20% from deep. During those 3 years, he made 32 out of 109 3-point attempts for a completion percentage of 29.4% on 0.5 3-point attempts per game.

One of advantages of trading Vanderbilt for Wood is it would dramatically improve the Lakers 3-point shooting volume and percentage and create better spacing for superstars James and Davis to attack the paint and rim.

2. Adds Clutch Scorer To Close Games

One can question Wood’s defensive inconsistencies and issues but, with his size and athleticism, he was the NBA’s most efficient three-level scorers in the league, able to score efficiently from deep, midrange, or at the rim.

Over the last four years, Wood averaged 16.6, 17.9, 21.0, 13.1 points in 25.9, 30.8, 32.3, 21.4 minutes per game while shooting 51.5%, 50.1%, 51.4%, 56.7% from the field and 37.6%, 39.0%, 37.4%, 38.6% on 3-point shots.
Wood is a proven three-level scorer who can efficiently shoot the three ball, pull up for a midrange jumper, or attack the rim with vicious dunks. He would give the Lakers a great third option to close games in the clutch.

One of the Lakers biggest weaknesses was not having an elite offensive scorer whom they could give the ball to get a shot to close out games. Christian Wood would give the Lakers a clutch scorer to close out games. The Lakers desperately need a player like DeRozan, Bogdanovic, or Wood who can get to his spot and get a high quality shot whenever he wants. Watch the above video and you can see Wood’s upside is elite starter.

Unlike featuring LeBron who’s slowing down or AD who needs somebody to get him the ball, the Lakers can just give the ball to Wood and trust him to go one-on-one and get a great shot regardless who’s defending him.

3. Increases Positional Size Advantage

One of the advantages of the Lakers trading for Christian Wood is he gives them a perfect stretch four or five to play alongside Anthony Davis in a two-big lineup like the Lakers ran to win the 2020 championship in the bubble.

By starting the 6′ 9″ Christian Wood next to the 6′ 11″ Anthony Davis and 6′ 9″ LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers immediately become a bigger and better team at both ends of the court, dominating the boards and paint. During the last four four years, Christian averaged 7.3, 10.1, 9.6, and 6.3 rebounds per game, 1.1, 1.0, 1.2, and 0.9 blocks per game, and 0.4, 0.8, 0.8, and 0.5 steals per game in 25.9, 30.8, 32.3, and 21.4 minutes per game.

While there have been troubling incidents in the past, the Lakers coaching staff knows how to reach players and get the best out of them. Were a sign-and-trade to happen, there’d definitely be direct discussions with Wood. There’s always the risk that the player is just incorrigible and even Darvin Ham cannot reach him but the reward is essentially the opportunity to trade for a lottery level talent who could be a long-time star for the team.

Trading for Christian Wood would give the Lakers positional size advantage in the front court while at the same time improving the teams floor spacing and 3-point shooting and unleashing even more paint and rim dominance.

4. Secures Christian Wood’s Bird Rights

While it’s difficult to trade a fan favorite who was at the heart of the team making the conference finals after starting 2–10, securing Christian Wood’s Bird rights so they could keep him long term is worth Jarred Vanderbilt.

The Lakers’ front office and coaching staff have great confidence in their judgement and ability to transform talented young players who’ve struggled with other teams and help them rehabilitate their careers like Malik Monk. Trading for Christian Wood instead of signing him for the minimum as a free agent would give the Lakers his Bird rights, which would enable them to go over the cap to re-sign him and prevent losing him like Malik Monk.

Christian Wood is in many ways the perfect third big for the Lakers as he can play the four or five, has the ability to space the floor with his 3-point shooting, and can protect the rim with his 6′ 9″ height and 7′ 3″ wingspan. While trading for Christian Wood will cost Vando and bring risks due to previous behavior issues, the upside of being able to acquire a potential second level star player is too great an opportunity for the Lakers to pass.

If the Lakers believe they can transform Christian Wood into a valuable stretch four/five, then it makes sense to trade Jarred Vanderbilt for him so that L.A. has his Bird rights and can go over the cap to re-sign him.

5. Opens Roster Spot for Biyombo

With the free agent signing of 6′ 8″ small forward Taurean Prince, the Los Angeles Lakers finally have a legitimate 3&D wing who can shoot over 40% from deep and defend the bigger wing scorers Vando would usually guard.

In addition to Prince, the Lakers also re-signed Rui Hachimura and signed Cam Reddish, both of whom they’re high on offensively and defensively. Trading Vanderbilt should eliminate a likely minutes jam up at the three. Trading for Wood helps balance the roster and opens up a roster spot for Bismack Biyombo, who would give the Lakers an experienced defensive center to expand and balance the team’s skill sets at the center position.

At 27-years old, the opportunity for the Lakers to trade Jarred Vanderbilt for a signed-and-traded Christian Wood is almost too good to be true. That it helps balance the roster and opens a roster spot for Bismack is a plus. Realistically, this is the kind of move the Lakers would have to wait until the trade deadline to pull off. It’s exactly the kind of low risk, sky-high value opportunity Rob Pelinka should take full and immediate advantage of.

Trading a one-dimensional small forward in Jarred Vanderbilt for a versatile modern center in Christian Wood would enable the Lakers to sign Bismack Biyombo as their third center while leaving one roster spot open.

Three Westbrook Mega Trades Turn Lakers into NBA Championship Team

April 28, 2022 By LakerTom 3 Comments

Forget the snake bit season, bad luck injuries, and silly pundits screaming nobody wants Russ. It’s not about Westbrook as a player. It’s about how his $47 million expiring contract can clean up a team’s salary cap in just a year.

Teams like the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, and Houston Rockets are rebuilding and will be looking to reduce salaries by dumping players with large long-term contracts for players with smaller expiring contracts. Trading for Russell Westbrook and his $47 million expiring contract can save a teams between $50 and $100 million in salaries, completely clean up their salary cap, and pick up a pair of valuable first round picks.

The Lakers’ target return on any Westbrook trade is three legitimate rotation players who can start and complement superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis and transform the team into a championship contender. The three players the Lakers hoped to start with LeBron and AD this past season were Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, and Nunn. Because of poor play and injuries, THT and Nunn were replaced by minimum salary players.

The Lakers’ goal this offseason is to trade Westbrook’s expiring contract, Horton-Tucker, and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks for three starter-quality rotation players who earn on average $20 million per year. While they would like to keep one of their draft picks, avoid taking back contracts longer than two years, and limit their luxury tax bill, the Lakers know next season is probably their best chance to win again this decade.

Here are four trades of Westbrook and Lakers’ 2027 first round pick that should be available this summer and expanded versions of each trade adding THT and a 2029 first round pick for an important third player.

1. Indiana Pacers Trade

As potential trading partners, the Lakers and Pacers are a perfect match. The Lakers need to trade Russell Westbrook and the Pacers need to dump the long-term contracts of Buddy Hield and Malcolm Brogdon.

While there have been several variations discussed, the basic trade many expect to happen would be the Lakers trading Russell Westbrook and a 2027 first round pick to the Pacers for guards Buddy Hield and Malcolm Brogdon. The Lakers would get a new starting backcourt that has size and can shoot. The Pacers would be thrilled to dump Hield’s 2-years and $39 million and Brogdon’s 3-years and $67 million for Russ’ $47 million and a first rounder.

That trade would leave the Lakers with Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and their 2029 first round draft pick as chips to pursue a starting 3&D wing or small forward like Jerami Grant, T.J. Warren, or Otto Porter, Jr. Instead of adding size via a wing, however, the Lakers might be smarter to expand the Pacers trade to include Indiana center Myles Turner in return for shooting guard Talen Horton-Tucker and a 2029 first round draft pick.

Expanding the trade to include Myles Turner as well as Buddy Hield and Malcolm Brogdon would dramatically upgrade the Lakers’ starting lineup, giving them three starters with annual salaries greater than $20 million. Turner, Hield, and Brogdon would replace Russ and two minimum salary starters and give Lakers three better players who can stretch the floor on offense and have the size to guard multiple positions and switch on defense.

Myles Turner, 26- years old, 6′ 11″, 250 lbs
12.9/7.1/1.9 and 50.9%/33.3% on 4.4 3PA/75.2%
Buddy Hield, 29- years old, 6′ 4″, 220 lbs
15.6/4.4/2.8 and 44.7%/36.2% on 8.5 3PA/89.6%
Malcolm Brogdon, 29-years old, 6′ 5″, 229 lbs
19.1/5.1/5.9 and 44.8%/31.2% on 5.2 3PA/85.6%

Starters: PG-Brogdon, SG-Hield, SF-James, PF-Davis, CE-Turner
Reserves: PG-Nunn, SG-Reaves, SF-Johnson, PF-Gabriel, CE-Howard

The Pacers’ trades are still my favorite two or three player trade. If the Lakers cannot get Turner, then they should trade for Hield and Brogdon and look to trade for or sign T.J. Warren or Otto Porter, Jr. as free agents.

2. Charlotte Hornets Trade

The Charlotte Hornets are another NBA team most likely to become a Los Angeles Lakers’ Russ trading partner as they would love to dump Gordon Hayward’s 3-years and $91.5 million for Westbrook’s expiring $47 million.

The other player usually included to make Westbrook’s and Hayward’s salaries match for the trade is Kelly Oubre. For the Lakers to take on Hayward’s contract, the Hornets would have to include guard Terry Rozier. The Lakers would get a new starting point guard who’s a lethal shooter and a veteran starting small forward who is a perfect fit for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Pacers save almost $50 million in long-term salaries.

That trade would give the Lakers two of the three starters they need next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis and leave them with Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and their 2029 first round pick as trading chips. Like with the Pacers, the Lakers would be smart to try and expand the trade to include Horton-Tucker and a second pick for Indiana’s P.J. Washington, a young 3&D wing who’d be excellent insurance should Hayward get injured.

Expanding the trade to include P.J. Washington as well as Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward would dramatically upgrade the Lakers’ starting lineup as Washington could easily start at shooting guard alongside Rozier at point. Hayward, Rozier, and Washington would replace Russ and two minimum salary starters and give L.A. three players who can stretch the floor on offense and have the size to guard multiple positions and switch on defense.

Gordon Hayward, 29-years old, 6′ 5″, 229 lbs
19.1/5.1/5.9 and 44.8%/31.2% on 5.2 3PA/85.6%
Terry Rozier, 28-years old, 6′ 1″, 190 lbs
19.3/4.3/4.5 and 44.4%/37.4% on 8.1 3PA/85.2%
P.J. Washington, 23-years old, 6′ 7″, 230 lbs
10.3/5.2/2.3 and 47.0%/36.5% on 4.6 3PA/71.6%

Starters: PG-Rozier, SG-Washington, SF-Hayward, PF-James, CE-Davis
Reserves: GP-Nunn, SG-Reaves, SF-Johnson, PF-Gabriel, CE-Howard

The Hornets’ trades are a close second to the Pacers’ trades. The difference is the versatility of the Pacers trade to go two bigs or small-ball-on-steroids that the Hornets deals doesn’t have although I love PJ Washington’s upside.

3. Houston Rockets Trade

The Rockets are the Lakers third option as a Westbrook trading partner with L.A. trading Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, and their 2027 first round pick for shooting guard Eric Gordon and point guard John Wall.

That trade would give the Lakers two of three starters they need next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis and leave them with Kendrick Nunn and their 2029 first round draft pick as key trading chips for a third new starter. Like with the Pacers and Hornets, the Lakers would be smart to try and expand the trade to include the Rockets’ stretch five center Christian Wood in return for Kendrick Nunn and the Lakers’ 2029 first round draft pick.

Expanding the trade to include Christian Wood as well as Eric Gordon and John Wall would dramatically upgrade Lakers’ starting lineup as Gordon and Wall would start in the backcourt while Wood starts as stretch center. The trio of Gordon, Wall, and Wood as starters would be a major upgrade at both ends of the court over Russell Westbrook and the two minimum salary players who started games for most of the season for the Lakers.

Eric Gordon, 33-years old, 6′ 3″, 215 lbs
13.4/2.0/2.7 and 47.5%/41.2% on 5.3 3PA/77.8%
John Wall, 31-years old, 6′ 3″, 210 lbs
20.6/3.2/6.9 and 40.4%/31.7% on 6.2 3PA/85.2%
Christian Wood, 26-years old, 6′ 9″, 214 lbs
17.9/10.1/2.3 and 50.1%/39.0% on 4.9 3PA/62.3%

Starters: PG-Wall, SG-Gordon, SF-James, PF-Davis, CE-Wood
Reserves: SG-Reaves, PF-Gabriel, CE-Howard

Final note on the Rockets trade is the Lakers do have to give up two rotation player in Nunn and Johnson to make the trade but they will also have Wall’s $47 million expiring contract to move at the deadline or next offseason.

Five Reasons Why Lakers Should Go Super Big To Win NBA Championship

April 16, 2022 By LakerTom 23 Comments

The Lakers won the NBA championship in the bubble by starting a bigger, more physical player at every position. This summer the Lakers need to go super big and build a modern version of the bubble championship team.

During eighteen months since the Lakers won the championship with their small-ball-on-steroids style of basketball, Pelinka seems to have forgotten what worked as he essentially downsized the Lakers at every position. The poor roster construction was exacerbated by the plague of injuries that left the Lakers reverting a micro-ball lineups with LeBron James starting at the five and the team bleeding rebounds and points in the paint.

Bigger guards like Green and Caldwell-Pope were replaced by smaller guards like Schroeder and Westbrook, small forwards like Kuzma and Morris were replaced by undersized wings like Reaves and Horton-Tucker. Instead of 7-footers like McGee and Howard eating up regular season minutes at center, Pelinka countered with ineffective rent-a-centers like undersized Harrell and over-the-hill Gasol, Drummond, and Jordan.

The Lakers have two paths to get bigger: leave James and Davis at the four and five and add a bigger 3&D wing like Grant or Reddish to the three or go super big by trading for a modern stretch five like Turner or Wood. Going super big with Myles Turner or Christian Wood to recreate a modern version of the lineup that won the bubble championship with a stretch rather than low post center could be the smart move for the Lakers.

Let’s look at the four reasons it would be smart for the Lakers to supersize their starting lineup by adding a modern stretch five center like Myles Turner or Christian Wood to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

1. Going Super Big Is Lakers’ Best Chance to Win Championship

The best path to for the Los Angeles Lakers to win a championship in today’s NBA is to recreate a modern version of the super big purple and gold team that won the 2020 NBA championship in the bubble eighteen months ago.

Having two quality 7-foot centers who can protect the rim and dominate the glass and allow LeBron James and Anthony Davis to play the three and four instead of the four and five was a major reason why the Lakers won #17. What we’ve seen the last two seasons as the Lakers have downsized their roster is that size still counts and the formula of having bigger and more physical players at every position is a blueprint the Lakers need to follow.

The only thing the Lakers should change in their super big formula is replace two 7-foot low post traditional centers with two 7-foot modern centers who can protect the rim and also stretch the floor with shooting. The Lakers can’t count on LeBron and AD shooting over 40% from deep. They need to surround them with 3-point shooters who can stretch defenses and prevent them from packing the paint to prevent layups.

The only way the Lakers can recreate the super big lineups to win a championship next season is by trading for a center who can protect the rim and shoot the three instead of seeking a 3&D wing small forward.

2. Going Super Big Will Help Keep James and Davis Healthy

After all the injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis the past two seasons, the main reason for the Lakers to go super big could be to keep their two injury-prone superstars from getting injured or just worn out.

It’s one thing to play Anthony Davis at the five to win sixteen playoff games and another to start him at the five for 82 games. Considering is history and preference, limiting AD’s minutes at the five is common sense. Davis has appeared in just 40 of the Lakers’ 82 games this season and just 36 of the team’s 82 games last season. Lakers would be wise to limit Anthony’s minutes at the five by trading for a modern two-way center to start games.

Playing small ball all the time is like playing up and can add tremendous physical wear-and-tear to a player because a good portion of his minutes are often going to be played against a bigger and more physical player. That means AD is often banging against centers instead of forwards and LeBron is battling against power forward instead of small forwards. Lakers need to rethink how their rotation decisions impact their superstars’ health.

The Lakers going big by trading for a modern two-way starting center like Myles Turner or Christian Wood should relieve the front court workload and reduce the injury risk for superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

3. Going Super Big Will Improve Lakers’ Rim Protection

One of benefits of the Lakers going big and trading for a shot blocking center like Turner or Wood rather than a 3&D wing like Grant or Redding is to have an elite shot blocker on the court for 48 minutes per game.

At the heart of the Lakers’ defensive issues this season was their lack of rim protection, which fell from a league best 6.6 blocks per game in the 2020 championship season to 7th with just 5.2 blocks per game this last season. Having elite shot blocking 48 minutes of the game should also improve the Lakers opponent field goal percentage, which at 47.0% last season was 22nd in the league compared to 44.8% in 2020, which was 8th best in the league.

Adding a young stretch five center like Myles Turner or Christian Wood would give the Lakers a bully-ball front court the league hasn’t seen for decades with three skilled rim protectors who boast elite hops, power, and athleticism. Turner has led the league in blocked shots the past two seasons with 2.8 blocks for game last year and 3.4 blocks per game this year. Wood has averaged 1.0 and 1.2 blocked shots per game over the last two seasons.

Defense wins championships and great defense starts with great rim protection. Going super big by trading for an elite shot blocking center should dramatically improve the Lakers rim protection and overall defense.

4. Going Super Big Will Improve Lakers’ Rebounding

Going super big will solve the Lakers’ rebounding woes due to playing with greatly undersized lineups due to poor roster construction and injuries. Controlling the glass, especially defensively, is critical to winning games.

Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers averaged 44.0 rebounds per game, 18th in the league. That compares to 45.7 rebounds per game and for a 9th best ranking during their championship run in the bubble back in 2020. The potential to dominate the back boards with a bully-ball front court of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Myles Turner is big reason for the Lakers to prioritize adding a modern two-way center instead of a 3&D wing.

Adding a starting quality center like Myles Turner or Christian Wood should give the Lakers more rebounding punch than adding a small forward like Jerami Grant or Cam Reddish. Size matters when it comes to rebounding. While Myles Turner, who is taller at 6′ 11″ and heavier at 250 lbs, averaged just 7.1 rebounds per game last season while Christian Wood, who is shorter at 6′ 9″ and lighter at 200 lbs, was able to average 10.1 rebounds last year.

Control the glass and often you will control the game. Going super big by trading for a modern two-way center rather than a 3&D small forward will help the Lakers become a championship caliber rebounding team.

5. Going Super Big Will Unleash Anthony Davis at the Three

There is also a possible surprise reward for the Lakers going super big and trading for a modern two-way center, which is unleashing Anthony Davis to play small forward, the position he wants to finish his career playing.

Because they don’t want to wear out or injure 37-year old LeBron James by having him play small forward and chase smaller wing scorers around picks, the Lakers will start and play LeBron most of his time at the four. That opens the door for the Lakers to move AD and his ability to defend all five positions to the three where he can become the team’s leading scorer and shut-down defender who guards the opposing team’s top wing scorer.

Davis has reportedly told the Lakers he would ultimately like to play the three, where his creative handle and elite ballhandling would have more room to make offensive moves and attack the basket than playing the four or five. Defensively, Davis at the three could be the missing lock-down wing defender the Lakers have long coveted to guard the Kawhi Leonards, Paul Georges, Kevin Durants, and other wing scorers who’ve haunted the Lakers.

Going super big with a modern version of the Lakers bully ball championship team has the potential to transform AD into the top-five superstar who can take the baton from LeBron and be the Lakers’ alpha.

Lakers’ Best Trade Package for Russell Westbrook Should Include Both Picks

April 1, 2022 By LakerTom 6 Comments

The bad news is the Lakers’ tradeable players have played so poorly their only value this summer will be as salary filler. The good new is Russ’ expiring deal will have value and the Lakers will have two draft picks to trade this summer.

This summer, the Lakers will need to combine Russell Westbrooks $47 million expiring contract with their unprotected 2027 and 2029 post-LeBron first round picks to create the best possible trade package to upgrade their roster. The Lakers saw at the trade deadline how Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, and Nunn had lost trade value but also how even their 2027 first round pick had greater value than expected. It was key to every failed deal at the deadline.

Packaging Westbrook’s expiring contract with their two first round picks dramatically expands what the Lakers should be able to get in a trade as salaries become easier to match when the total dollars involved is higher. Considering the trades that were available to the Lakers at the deadline for one first round draft pick, imagine what Pelinka might be able to negotiate if he offered two post-LeBron unprotected first round picks with Westbrook.

NBA teams make trades for different reasons, often to clear cap space for the future or avoid luxury taxes. Here are three trades of Russell Westbrook and their 2027 and 2029 first round picks the Lakers should target this summer.

1. Trade with Indian Pacers for Turner, Brogdon, and Hield

The Lakers have always been interested in Myles Turner and now that the Pacers are in the middle of a major rebuild, the timing could be right for them to trade Russ’ expiring contract and their two first round picks for Myles.

Per HoopsHype, the Pacers are still looking to trade Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield this summer and would consider including center Myles Turner for “two first-round picks or a promising young player and a first-round pick.” The Lakers should offer Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks for Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, and Buddy Hield, each of whom would immediately start for the Lakers.

Indiana should be at the top of the list of possible trading partners for Russell Westbrook since they’re looking to move multiple long-term contracts to clear up cap space down the road and acquire first round picks and young talent. While the Pacers will have to pay Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, and Nunn $62 million for next season, they will save over $125 million over the next three years by getting out of Turner’s, Brogdon’s, and Hield’s player contracts.

The Pacers’ Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, and Buddy Hield should be the Lakers top trade target this summer. It would add championship quality starters to complement James and Davis without increasing annual salaries.

2. Trade with Houston Rockets for Wood, Gordon, and Wall

If the Lakers can’t pull off a trade with the Indiana Pacers for Myles Turner, they should turn their attention to trading with the Houston Rockets for Christian Wood, a stretch five center who can block shots and shoot threes.

Per Brian Windhorst, the Lakers turned down a potential mega deal with the Houston Rockets at the trade deadline “involving Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, and 2027 first round pick for John Wall and Christian Wood.” The Lakers should offer Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, Stanley Johnson, and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks for Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, and John Wall, each of whom would be a starter for the Lakers.

The Lakers also know they could have traded Russell Westbrook and their 2027 first round draft pick to the Rockets at the trade deadline for John Wall so the proposed trade with two draft picks could be attractive to Houston. Word from Houston is the motivation to trade Wall for Westbrook is the Rockets believe Westbrook will be more willing than Wall to buy his way out of the last year of his contract, which could save the Rockets some money.

Targeting a trade for Wood, Gordon, and Wall should be the Lakers second priority this summer. While it would dramatically increase the $3 million in luxury taxes the Lakers will play this year, it would be a championship team.

3. Trade with New York Knicks for Rose, Randle, and Reddish

If the Lakers can’t make a trade for Myles Turner or Christian Wood, then they should focus their attention on Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, who is rumored to have asked the Knicks to trade him to another team this summer.

According to sources, Julius Randle and the Knicks are headed for a divorce because he “feels the FO hasn’t supported him through tough times this year and promises about how the offense would go through him has stopped.” The Lakers should offer Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks for Julius Randle, Derrick Rose, and Cam Reddish, each of whom is an excellent fit next to LeBron and AD.

While the Knicks supposedly have no interest in trading for Russell Westbrook at the trade deadline, the lure of his $47 million expiring contract and two post-LeBron first round draft picks could change their mind and direction. Russ would be great playing in Madison Square Garden and knows the East well after his time with the Washington Wizards. The trade would allow the Knicks to move on from the Randle mistake while getting two great picks.

Trading Westbrook for Randle, Rose, and Redding not only gives the Lakers three starting quality players for Russ but also breaks Russ’ $47 million into three smaller more easily tradeable contracts of $14, $26, and $6 million.

Lakers Need Modern Center Who Can Protect the Rim and Stretch the Floor!

March 20, 2022 By LakerTom 6 Comments

For a franchise that won the championship a year and a half ago by being the physically bigger and more athletically dominant team, the Lakers seem to have forgotten how much size matters, even in today’s positionless NBA.

The Lakers’ lack of front court size other than LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be at the heart of their plans to rebuild their roster this offseason. The question is whether to acquire more size via a small forward or center? While pursuing a small forward like Jerami Grant makes sense, trading for a modern center who can protect the rim and stretch the floor like Christian Wood or Myles Turner could be a smarter strategic move for the Lakers.

Trading for Christian Wood or Myles Turner has distinct advantages over trading for Jerami Grant. Most importantly, it lets Anthony Davis and LeBron James play their preferred power forward and small forward positions. Adding a center like Christian Wood or Myles Turner would also give the Lakers the versatility to play play big or small and empower them to have a leading shot blocker protecting the rim for all 48 minutes of every game.

While many expect the Lakers to pursue Jerami Grant, the Lakers should surprise everybody and zig while the rest of the league zags. Dominating size was a big part of the formula the Lakers used to win their 18th title. They need the intimidating rim protection of their title run in the bubble but updated with a modern center who can not only block shots but also create desperately needed spacing by pulling opposing big men out of the paint.

The Los Angeles’ Lakers objective this summer should be to trade Russell Westbrook and rebuild the team’s starting lineup with elite 3-point shooters and defenders to complement superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Ideally, the Lakers need to find a trading partner to take Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and their 2027 and 2029 first round picks in return for a new starting point guard, shooting guard, and center.

Here are two proposed mega trades to give the Lakers three new starters. They acquire Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, and Buddy Hield from the Pacers or Christian Wood, John Wall, and Eric Gordon from the Rockets.

Pacers’ Trade for Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, and Buddy Hield

The Lakers logical trade partner this summer should be the Pacers, who are in the middle of a total rebuild, having already traded Sabonis, LeVert, Holiday, Lamb, and Craig with Turner, Brogdon, and Hield still on the block.

The core of the Lakers and Pacers trade is Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract in a salary dump for the $40.5 million over two years owed Buddy Hield and the $44.3 million over two years owed Malcolm Brogdon. The Lakers would move to expand the trade by adding Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks to the deal to convince the Pacers to include Myles Turner’s $18 million expiring contract.

For the Lakers, the trade transforms their starting lineup at both ends with Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield becoming the starting guards and Myles Turner the starting center playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Suddenly, the perimeter defense, rim protection, playmaking, rebounding, points in the paint, 3-point shooting, ball security, and floor spacing for the Lakers starting lineup dramatically improves over this year’s starting lineup.

The beauty of the Pacers trade is the Lakers total payroll remains about the same as this season as will the team’s luxury tax bill. The team also gets younger with the 26-year old Turner and 29-year old Brogdon and Hield. Winning with LeBron requires surrounding the King with high volume, high percentage 3-point shooters and adding Turner, Hield, and Brogdon should move the Lakers’ 3-point attempts and percentage to top five.

While Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, and Buddy Hield are not superstars, they’re the three legitimate championship quality starters the Lakers need to complement superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis and win #18.

Rockets’ Trade for Christian Wood, John Wall, and Eric Gordon

The Lakers other top trade partner this summer should be the Rockets, who are undergoing a major rebuild and will be looking to move veterans like Eric Gordon, John Wall, and Christian Wood for young prospects and draft picks.

The core of the Lakers and Rockets trade is a swap of Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract for John Wall’s $47 million expiring contract as the Lakers and Westbrook mutually agreed to part ways the end of year. The Lakers would expand the trade by adding Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, Stanley Johnson, and their 2027 and 2029 first round picks to get the Pacers to include Christian Wood and Eric Gordon in the deal.

For the Lakers, the trade transforms their starting lineup at both ends with John Wall and Eric Gordon becoming the starting guards and Christian Wood the starting center playing with superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Suddenly, the Lakers become a more versatile and dangerous team that can play five-out small-ball-on-steroids with three of the best small ball centers in the league in Anthony Davis, Christian Wood, and LeBron James.

The one negative to this trade is that the Lakers total salaries increase by $16.3 million, which could result in extra luxury taxes unless the Lakers move Wall, which they will have the opportunity to do before the deadline. There’s a good chance they could use Wall’s $47 million expiring contract to pick up some bench depth much like the Clippers were able to do this year at the deadline with their great midseason trade for Powell and Covington.

While Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, and John Wall are not superstars, they’re the three legitimate championship quality starters the Lakers need to complement superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis and win #18.