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How Next 5 Weeks Will Shape Los Angeles Lakers’ Season And Future

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

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

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

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

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

IS PELINKA READY TO PULL TRIGGER?

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

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

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

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

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

Point-Of-Attack Guard To Pair With Austin Reaves

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Second Big To Pair With Or Backup Anthony Davis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

J.J. Redick’s Vision Could Transform Lakers Draft, Free Agency, & Trades

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Whom the Los Angeles Lakers draft, pursue in free agency, and trade for this summer will give us revealing first glimpses into the vision new head coach J.J. Redick has for the 2024–25 version of the purple and gold.

The Lakers finished last season 7th in the West with a 47–35 record. Their 115.4 offensive rating was 15th in the league and their 114.8 defensive rating 17th. Combined, the Lakers +0.6 net rating was 19th in the league. While the initial perception was the Lakers’ greatest need was to improve their defense, the reality is they need to improve both their offense and defense to top-ten status to be a legitimate championship contender.

Heading into the offseason, the Lakers need to upgrade both their starting lineup and rotation. They simply have too many one-way players who only excel on offense or defense and need to be replaced by two-way players.
The Lakers need to emulate what the Celtics and other top NBA teams are doing and build out a roster capable of rolling out lineups with five players who can shoot the three on offense and switch everything on defense.

Offensively, the Lakers simply need to take and make more threes. Last season, they made 11.8 threes per game (28th in the NBA) on 31.8 attempts per game (24th in the NBA) despite shooting 37.7% (8th in the NBA).
The Celtics and Mavs led the league with 42.5 and 39.5 3PA per game and 16.5 and 14.6 3PM per game. Playing those teams, the Lakers would face a negative 3-point differential of 14.1 ppg vs. Boston and 8.4 ppg vs. Dallas.

Defensively, the Lakers need an elite point-of-attack defensive guard to slow down opposing point guards, a legitimate bigger 3&D wing to guard opposing scoring wings, and a backup center who can protect the rim.
The Lakers also need a bigger bulkier defensive center who can bang with larger more physical centers like Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, or Joel Embiid, who can overpower and bully starting center Anthony Davis.

Since the new CBA makes it hard to build championship rosters if paying maximum salaries to three superstars, the Lakers would be smart to use their draft capital to fill their specific needs rather than chasing third star.
Starting next Wednesday, the Lakers trading chips will include three first round picks and three first round pick swaps plus five second round picks. They should use that draft capital to upgrade their starters and rotation.

Financially, the Lakers will likely have to go over the first luxury tax apron to cover raises to players under contract and upgrades to the starting lineup and rotation but must stay under the harsh second luxury tax apron.
That will mean the Lakers will be once again be a luxury tax repeater who will essentially be hard capped by the NBA’s new second luxury tax apron of $190 million to avoid its anti-competitive penalties and disadvantages.

Let’s take a closer look at whom the Los Angeles Lakers with J.J. Redick as their new head coach might target to upgrade their starting lineup and roster via the upcoming NBA Draft, free agency, and trade season.

1. Lakers Draft Targets

The Lakers would be smart to keep rather than trade the #17 pick in the draft because its potential player value is greater than its trade value and it boasts multiple modern two-way bigs who would be great back up centers.

While several NBA teams want to trade their first round picks in this draft, there will be a half dozen quality big men prospects available between the 16th and 30th picks, which makes this draft a great opportunity for L.A.
The Lakers desperately need a backup center when Anthony Davis is on the bench and there are three or four bigs in this draft who could immediately play as backup centers and eventually alongside AD in a two-bigs lineup.

The big questions hiring JJ Redick as head coach raises is what he plans to do with Anthony Davis. We know JJ wants to be a volume 3-point shooting team and would like a modern offense with five guys who shoot the three. Redick will likely have Davis as well as everybody on the team take more threes but will also see this draft as an opportunity to fill the backup center vacancy and also find a modern stretch five who could play alongside AD.

Four potential modern two-way bigs who have been linked to the Lakers in various NBA draft news and mock drafts include Dayton’s DaRon Holmes, Indiana’s Kel’el Ware, Duke’s Kyle Filipowski, and Purdue’s Zach Edey. Holmes, Ware, and Filipowski have all been linked to the Lakers because they shoot the three. Edey is the exception as he has only taken two threes during his career at Purdue but did show 3-point range at the combine.

DaRon Holmes may be the best option as he can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and defend in space. His best NBA comparison is Naz Reid. Zack Edey, whose potential best NBA comp is Brook Lopez, is also very possible. Kel’el Ware, whose best NBA comp is Myles Turner, would also be a great selection as would Kyle Filipowski, whose best NBA comp is Kelly Olynyk. Unless a coveted wing drops, the Lakers and JJ will draft a stretch five.

For a more detailed review of each of these four candidates and how they would fit in a modern Los Angeles Lakers offense and defense, please read 4 Modern Two-Way Centers Lakers Could Select With #17 Pick In Draft.

2. Lakers Trade Targets

The Lakers would be smart to use their draft capital to trade for legitimate two-way players in their mid-twenties who earn mid-twenty millions per year, and can become bigger stars in bigger roles than a third superstar.

Recent early reports have the los Angeles Lakers reopening talks with the Atlanta Hawks regarding a possible mega trade for guard Dejounte Murray, whom the teams previously discussed before last season’s trade deadline.
The big reason the Lakers didn’t pull the trigger for Dejounte Murray at the trade deadline wa they were not willing to include Austin Reaves in the deal. Based on recent reports, Reaves may no longer be untouchable.

The Lakers would be wise to leverage the Hawks’ desire to acquire Austin Reaves by expanding the trade to include Bogdan Bogdanovic, who’s exactly the kind of two-way modern high volume 3-point shooting guard they need.
An offer of Hachimura, Reaves, Vincent and an unprotected 2029 first round pick and an unprotected 2030 first round pick swap for Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic should be an offer Atlanta accepts.

Should the Laker be able to trade for Murray and Bogdanovic, they would then have the the elite modern 3&D backcourt they need to become a top-five volume 3-point shooting team that no longer loses the 3-point battle.
Look for the Lakers and JJ to have Murray, Bogdanovic, and James all take 8 to 10 threes per game in an effort to raise the number of threes L.A. takes from last year’s 31.8 per game to over 40 per game for next season.

For a more detailed review of each of these four candidates and how they would fit in a modern Los Angeles Lakers offense and defense, please read 4 ‘Affordable’ Stars Who Could Be Superstars On Los Angeles Lakers.

3. Lakers Free Agent Targets

While the Lakers need to upgrade their starting lineup and roster, they also should prioritize developing talented young players with two-way potential who showed progress last season and might grow more under JJ Redick.

Focusing on player development due to the restrictions in the new CBA, there are four players about whom the Lakers have major decisions to make as to whether to keep and develop or whether to move on from.
Those four players are D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, Max Christie, and Jaxson Hayes. Russell and Hayes have player options that many believe they will exercise. Prince is an UFA while Christie is a RFA this summer.

Deciding what to do with D’Angelo Russell is the Lakers first priority. D’Angelo has until June 29 to decide whether to accept his player option. The last thing the Lakers should want is to lose DLO to free agency.
Lakers should offer DLO a new 2-year deal with player option for $20 million per year either in the form of a new Lakers contract or a sign-and-trade deal with another team like the Orlando Magic who needs shooters.

The Lakers should re-sign Taurean Prince to a new contract for around $5 million per year. He’s not a starter but proved to be a valuable two-way wing who was essentially misused by Darvin Ham. He’s just not a starter.
Hayes will likely decline his player option and seek a raise in free agency. Christie is a player whom the Lakers will need to re-sign since he is a restricted free agent. Max should thrive under new head coach JJ Redick.

The Lakers need to figure out how to optimize Russell, Prince, Christie, and Hayes should them end up being part of next season’s roster. They need to keep Russell, Prince, and Christie to maintain their depth and diversity.

4 ‘Affordable’ Stars Who Could Be Superstars On Los Angeles Lakers

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Rather than chasing older max-contract third superstars, the Los Angeles Lakers would be wise to target younger, more affordable, two-way stars with the upside to become superstars with bigger roles on a better team.

Targeting a player in their mid-twenties earning less than $25 million per year will cost major draft capital but leave the Lakers with the matching salaries and space below second tax apron to build a deep, diverse roster. The new CBA with its second luxury tax apron and new unprecedented financial and competitive penalties has made it almost impossible to build championship caliber rosters if paying max salaries to three superstars.

The Lakers have refused in the past to trade first round picks for elite role players like Myles Turner and Dejounte Murray, preferring instead to save those picks to trade for superstars like Anthony Davis or Russell Westbrook.
The time’s now come for the Lakers to change that strategy. They learned firsthand how trading first round draft picks for elite role players instead of superstars has transformed Celtics, Nuggets, and Mavs into contenders.

The Lakers must see that the NBA is undergoing a changing of the guard with younger stars and teams taking over from older stars and teams and an evolution of the game where size, length, and athleticism dominate.
The Lakers need a roster building strategy that targets rising stars who could function as the team’s third star for the next two or three years and take over as AD’s co-superstar when LeBron James retires from the league.

The Los Angeles Lakers portfolio of available trading chips is their best in years and includes their 2024, 2029, and 2031 first round draft picks, 2026, 2028, and 2030 first round pick swaps, and five second round draft picks.
Ideally, the Lakers would keep the #17 pick in the draft for a backup center and then use draft capital to trade for two of these four young affordable two-way prospects without giving up Austin Reaves or Max Christie.

Here are four affordable young two-way stars with superstar upside who are 26 or 27 years old, earn between $17 to $25 million per year, and are available for right trade package of matching salaries and draft capital.

1. Lauri Markkanen

Lauri Markkanen, PF, 7′ 0″, 240 lbs, 27-years old, 1-yr @ $18.0M
23.2/8.2/2.0 on 16.2/8.0/5.0 shooting 48.0/39.9/89.9% in 33.1 mpg

27-year old Lauri Markkanen should be at the top of the Lakers’ offseason trade target board as he is the perfect third superstar to complement James and Davis and pair with Davis when James retires in two or three years.

Markannen’s elite size, length, athleticism, and volume 3-point shooting would transform the Lakers’ starting lineup and half-court offense into a juggernaut. He shot a sizzling 39.9% from deep on 8.0 attempts per game.
Besides giving the Lakers a desperately needed volume 3-point shooter, Markkanen also enables L.A. to double down on dominating points-in-the-paint and free-throws-made while becoming competitive on 3-pointers.

Reports indicate the Jazz are likely looking to trade rather than re-sign the 27-year old Markkanen provided they get a significant offer for the Finnish star. Lauri’s in the final year of his contract and will be due for a big raise.
The offer to get the Jazz to trade Markkanen to the Lakers would include Rui Hachimura, unprotected 2029 first round pick, unprotected 2028 first round pick swap, and remove 1–4 protection from 2027 first round pick.

This trade would essentially give Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz 3 straight years of totally unprotected rights to the Los Angeles Lakers’ post LeBron James first round draft picks for the 2027, 2028, and 2029 NBA seasons.
Hopefully, that’s the kind of offer that could motivate Danny Ainge to trade Lauri Markkanen to the Lakers. It leverages the top-four protected 2027 first round draft pick Los Angeles previously traded to Utah last year.

The Lakers top offseason trade target should be the Utah Jazz’ Lauri Markkanen, whom would immediately and dramatically upgrade our starting lineup and roster to legitimate championship caliber.

2. DeJounte Murray

Dejounte Murray, SG, 6′ 5″, 180 lbs, 26-years old, 1-yrs @ $17.4M NG
22.5/5.3/6.4 on 18.8/7.1/3.4 shooting 45.9/36.3/79.4% in 35.7 mpg

26-year old combo guard Dejounte Murray should be second on the Lakers’ offseason trade target big board as he is the perfect two-way third star to upgrade the team’s backcourt and complement superstars James and Davis.

While the Lakers had an interest in trading for Dejounte Murray last season, they were unwilling to include draft picks as compensation. In retrospect, Dejounte enjoyed a clutch breakout season with the Hawks.
Murray showcased his two-way skillsets last season, averaging over 20 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists per game while sharing backcourt duties with Young and shooting 36.3% from deep on 7.1 attempts per game.

The pairing of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray has not worked for the Hawks. Recent reports indicate the Hawks are likely to keep Trae Young and their #1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft and trade Dejounte Murray.
That’s great news for the Lakers. Trading for Dejounte, who makes $25.4 million per year, would let them build a deeper, more diverse roster than trading for Trae, whose $43.0 million annual salary would hobble them.

The Lakers know Russell and Reaves are not good enough defensively to succeed as a championship backcourt but both are still valuable rotation players who would be hard to replace. The smarter move is keep both.
If the Lakers can trade for Dejounte Murray, they should pair him with D’Angelo Russell while moving Austin Reaves to the bench. The Lakers would then have the elite volume 3-point shooting backcourt they need.

The Lakers should send Hachimura, Hood-Schifino, unprotected 2031 first round pick, and 2030 first round pick swap to the Hawks for Dejounte Murray to become their third star next to superstars James and Davis.

3. Jonathan Isaac

Jonathan Isaac, PF, 6′ 10″, 230 lbs, 26-years old, 1-yrs @ $17.4M NG
6.8/4.5/0.5 on 4.9/1.9/1.4 shooting 51.0/37.5/77.1% in 15.8 mpg

26-year old Jonathan Isaac is the ‘wild card’ on the Lakers offseason trade target big board. Unlike Markkanen and Murray, Jonathan Isaac has such a rough injury history he should be easily acquired with the right offer.

While health makes Isaac’s floor dangerously low, Jonathan has such a high ceiling and is such a perfect fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis that the Lakers should seriously consider trading with Orlando to get him.
Isaac is without question the best two-way player of the four candidates. Defensively, he is the closest thing to an Anthony Davis clone you can find. He can protect the rim and defend all five positions at all three levels.

What makes the Boston Celtics so tough is that they have five guys on offense who can shoot the three and five guys on defense who can switch everything. This is the ultimate extension of positionless basketball.
While the Lakers would need assurances from their medical staff that Isaac is fully recovered, he is the kind of young, affordable two-way star who can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and switch out on the perimeter.

Orlando is so stacked with talent that there may no longer be a place for the now healthy and uber talented Jonathan Isaac despite the Magic sticking with him through three complete straight seasons lost to major injuries.
The $17.4 million final year salary of Isaac’s contract is not guaranteed. The Lakers should offer a package of Rui Hachimura and a top-four protected 2029 first round draft pick to the Magic for the 26-year old Jonathan Isaac.

Jonathan Isaac is the ‘wild card’ option among these four young affordable stars who could become superstars on Lakers as he has a lower floor but a higher ceiling and may be more attainable than Markkanen or Murray.

4. Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges, SF, 6′ 6″, 209 lbs, 27-years old, 2-yrs @ $23.3M
19.6/4.5/3.6 on 15.8/7.2/3.9 shooting 43.6/37.2/81.4% in 34.8 mpg

Mikal Bridges is the last and probably the hardest of the four affordable young stars for the Lakers to trade for. Recent rumors indicate that the Nets may prefer to keep Bridges and find a second star to pair with him.

The prototype 3&D wing that every NBA team covets, Bridges will likely draw more interest than even Markannen and Murray and will certainly require multiple picks and swaps for a team to pry him away from Nets.
Bridges is a long shot for the Lakers. His greatest advantage is he is a true small forward, which would mean Anthony Davis would play center while LeBron James would be able to play his preferred power forward position.

The Lakers desperately need a bigger point-of-attack defender who can guard the 6′ 7″ to 6′ 10″ wing scorers every team in the West seems to have. Lakers need to stop trying to defend these scorers with smaller guards.
Lakers fans are tired of watching bigger wing scorers taking smaller Lakers shooting guards into the paint and easily shooting over them with easy midrange jump shots. That’s why the Lakers need somebody like Bridges.

One of the major decisions the Lakers need to make when rebuilding their starting lineup going forward is who plays power forward. If the Lakers opt to start two-bigs, then Davis or the second big will play power forward.
The problem with that scenario is that it forces LeBron James to play small forward, which often involves chasing bigger wing scorers around multiple screens and picks, not what you want your 40-year old superstar doing.

Mikal Bridges would be a great fit as the Lakers starting small forward as he would allow Anthony Davis and LeBron James to play the 5 and 4 though they’re still a longshot to trade for him due to heavy competition.

Nine Players Whom Lakers Should Definitely Pursue At Trade Deadline

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The Lakers need a 3&D starting point guard to anchor their perimeter defense, a starting shooting guard to provide high volume, high percentage 3-point shooting, and a backup center to protect the rim when AD rests.

The above photo presents the Lakers three best options for starting point guard (Murray, Smart, Brogdon), starting shooting guard (Bogdanovic, Hield, and Kennard), and backup center (Olynyk, Gafford, and Claxton).
Strategically, the Lakers need to spend whatever draft capital is necessary to pull off blockbuster trades that bring back one of the three candidates for starting point guard, starting shooting guard, and backup center.

With just 4 days until the trade deadline, there will be heavy pressure on Rob Pelinka to somehow, someway replicate the great trade deadline moves from last season that turned the Lakers into a playoff juggernaut.
While last trade deadline only included one first round draft pick, L.A. will have to spend more draft capital this trade deadline, including their 2029 first round pick plus pick swaps for their 2028 and 2030 first round picks.

With their recent impressive wins over the Celtics and Knicks, the Lakers may have turned the corner with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves playing like they did to make the conference finals last season.
LeBron James has once again used social media to put pressure on the Lakers’ front office to pull off a series of blockbuster trades to upgrade the roster and give the team a chance to go after their 18th NBA championship.

Here are the Lakers’ best options for a starting point guard who’s an elite point-of-attack defender, starting shooting guard who takes and makes volume threes, and a backup center to protect the rim when Davis rests.

Starting Point Guard

The Lakers’ greatest need is to replace D’Angelo Russell with a legitimate two-way point guard who can create plays for teammates, shoot the three with volume and accuracy, and anchor the team’s point-of-attack defense.

Frankly, there simply aren’t many point guards who meet those criteria. For the Lakers, Dejounte Murray is the premier choice because he has the needed speed and athleticism plus shooting stroke and defense mentality.
While he’s not as good an offensive player as Murray, Marcus Smart is a former DPOY and the best defensive oriented point guard the Lakers could trade for. Smart would be a great second option if L.A. cannot land Murray.

Should the Lakers be unable to work out a trade for Dejounte Murray or Marcus Smart, then their next best point guard option is probably Malcolm Brogdon, who would be a more trustworthy version of D’Angelo Russell.
With just four days remaining before the trade deadline, the Lakers have reportedly made Austin Reaves untouchable unless for a legit superstar and are looking to trade Russell, Vincent, Hachimura, and Hood-Schifino

Trading D’Angelo Russell has become a perplexing challenge for the Lakers in multiple ways. First, DLO has been playing so well that he’s making it difficult to let him go much less to find a replacement that’s an upgrade.
Second, Lakers desperately need to improve their backcourt defense but do not want to sacrifice desperately needed backcourt offense to get better defensively. That’s the conundrum of trying to upgrade D’Angelo Russell.

In the end, Dejounte Murray is the only point guard candidate who will be an upgrade offensively as well as defensively over D’Angelo Russell, which is why he is the player who’s at the top of the Lakers trade board right now.

Starting Shooting Guard

Next to a new two-way point guard, the Lakers’ greatest need is a starting shooting guard who can take 7 to 9 and make 3 to 4 threes per game to help reduce the team’s current 9-points per game negative 3-point differential.

The Lakers 3-point shooting percentage has actually gotten much better over the last stretch of games. The Lakers as a team are currently shooting 37.0% from deep, which ranks as the league’s 13th best 3-point percentage.
Unfortunately, the Lakers shoot and make so few 3-point shots that they’re outscored by 9-points per game from deep and rank dead last in the NBA in 3-point shots taken and dead last in the NBA in made 3-point shots allowed.

What the Lakers need is a starting shooting guard who takes and makes enough 3-point shots to cut the Lakers negative 9-points per game 3-point differential in half by adding 3 to 4 threes to their 11.3 makes per game.
Bogdan Bogdanovic should be the Lakers’ new starting shooting guard and volume 3-point specialist because he takes and makes the most 3-point shots per game of the three candidates and has rapport with Murray.

Bogdan Bogdanovic is averaging 17.2/3.1/2.7 with 1.3 steals in 28.8 mpg. He ranks 15th in 3PM with 3.1 per game on 8.4 attempts for 37.0%. He’s clearly the perfect backcourt complement to Hawks’ point guard Dejounte Murray.
Buddy Hield is averaging 17.0/3.2/2.6 with 0.6 steals in 25.7 mpg and ranks 32nd in 3PM with 2.6 3PM per game. Luke Kennard is averaging 10.4/3.1/3.0 with 0.4 steals in 24.4 mpg and ranks 30th in 3PM with 2.7 3PM per game.

The Lakers should expand their trade for Hawks’ point guard Dejounte Murray to include Hawk’s shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, which would give the Lakers their first modern championship backcourt of the future.

Backup Rim Protector

Besides a new starting backcourt, the Los Angeles Lakers other major rotation need was for a second big who could either start next to Anthony Davis in a two-bigs lineup or back him up when he rest on the bench.

The Lakers top candidate to be backup rim protector is Nic Claxton, who averages 12.4/10.5/2.0 with 2.2 blocks and 0.7 steals in 29.6 mpg. 24-year old Claxton is 6′ 11″ and 215 lbs and is a ferocious rebounder and shot blocker.
Claxton’s two competitors are the Wizards’ Daniel Gafford, who averaged 10.7/7.9/1.6 with 2.1 blocks and 1.0 steals in 26.3 mpg and the Jazz’ Kelly Olynyk, who averages 8.1/5.1/4.3 with 0.3 steals and 0.8 blocks in 20.5 mpg.

While Claxton and Gafford are perfect fits as backup rim protector, Olynyk is really a totally different kind of option for backup center, which is a big who can stretch the floor, attack the paint, and make plays for teammates.
The Lakers also have interest in Kris Dunn, a combo guard who could help replace the lost point-of-attack defense L.A. has lost due to Vanderbilt’s injury. A trade for Olynyk and Dunn could be something L.A. might do.

Whom the Lakers chose to be their backup center will likely depend on who can be acquired for the least amount of draft capital. All three centers earn around the MLE. The Lakers would likely take whomever costs less.
It’s even not impossible that the Lakers trade for two centers. I could see a scenario where L.A. traded for Olynyk to start and Claxton to backup.

Bottom line, the Lakers need an upgrade at backup center that is a better rim protector than Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood or has the versatile offensive game of Kelly Olynyk that could transform the Lakers’ offense.

Three Players Who Transform Lakers Into Legitimate Championship Team

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The Los Angeles Lakers must go-all in on a blockbuster trade before the deadline because they won’t have many more, if any, seasons like this left where both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are healthy and thriving.

The Lakers understand that the roster they’ve built around superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis has seriously flaws. They need better point-of-attack defense, 3-point shooting, and backup rim protection.
L.A.’s’ top options to fix their perimeter defense, long range shooting, and rim defense when AD rests are 3&D point guard Dejounte Murray, volume 3-point shooter Bogdan Bogdanovic, and defensive center Nic Claxton.

Strategically, the Lakers don’t have coveted mid-sized or large expiring contracts to trade, which means young players with upside like Austin Reaves and Max Christy or first round picks and swaps are their chips.
Since there will probably be more buyers than sellers at the trade deadline, the Lakers best trade strategy should be hold onto Reaves and Christie but give up their 2029 or 2030 first round pick plus a couple of pick swaps.

While it always seems like the Lakers’ chips are undervalued while their trade targets overvalued, Pelinka got great value for the pieces he moved last trade deadline so hopefully he’ll be able to repeat that strategy again.
The Lakers are counting on Rob Pelinka being able to replicate his trade deadline magic from last season and somehow, someway pull off a mega trade for Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Nic Claxton.

Let’s take a look at what a trade for Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Nic Claxton could look like, what their roles on the Lakers would be, and how each could individually help the Lakers win the championship.

Lakers, Hawks, & Nets 3-Team Trade

The Lakers trade a package of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, their protected 2029 pick, and 2028 and 2030 pick swaps for Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Nic Claxton.

Dejounte Murray gives the Lakers the speedy and athletic point-of-attack defender they need to transform their perimeter defense while Bogdanovic fills their need for an elite high volume, high percentage 3-point specialist.
Claxton gives the Lakers an elite rim protector and athletic dunker who could start alongside Anthony Davis in a two-bigs starting lineup and/or anchor the team defensively whenever Davis goes to the bench to rest.

The blockbuster trade gives the Lakers their new 3&D backcourt of the future with Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic, a major upgrade offensively and defensively over D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves.
The trade improves the Lakers by adding three rotation players, including two upgraded starters, while losing just two rotation players in Russell and Hachimura, since Hood-Schifino and Vincent have been non-factors.

Most importantly, the trade goes a long way towards fixing the Lakers three major issues: point-of-attack defense, 3-point shooting, and rim protection when Davis is on the bench, without sacrificing roster depth or diversity.
Imagine Lakers’ starting lineup of Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Jarred Vanderbilt, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, backed up by Austin Reaves, Max Christie, Taurean Prince, Christin Wood, and Nix Claxton.

While costing Russell and Hachimura, one of next summer’s three picks, and two of the team’s six potential pick swaps, the trade would transform the Lakers from a play-in squad to a legitimate championship caliber team.

Dejounte Murray, Point Guard of Future

The key player in the 7-player trade between the Lakers, Hawks, and Nets is without question Dejounte Murray, whom Los Angeles is hoping will have a breakout season and become the team’s two-way point guard of the future.

The Lakers are hoping Dejounte, freed from having to share the ball with Trae, will enjoy a season like his final season with the Spurs when he was the primary point guard and won NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors. Murray averaged 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 2.0 steals in 34.8 minutes per game that season, was traded to the Hawks for filler and 3 first round picks, and then signed a 4-year $114 million extension with Atlanta.

While he’s maintained his shot attempts and points per game playing with Trae, Dejounte’s rebounds and assists per game have declined from 8.3 and 9.2 per game when with the Spurs to 5.1 and 5.2 per game with the Hawks.
The Lakers hope Dejounte Murray’s game will be unleashed by not having to share the ball with Trae Young in the same way that Tyrese Haliburton’s game was unleashed by not having to share the ball with De’Aaron Fox.

While there are concerns that Dejounte’s defense may have regressed while playing for the Hawks and that his dramatically improved 3-point shooting this season may not be sustainable, L.A. still believes Murray’s the answer.
The challenge will be convincing the Hawks to give up Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic without receiving Austin Reaves as part of return. I’m hoping Pelinka can somehow get the Hawks to agree to the deal.

With the recent injury news about Jarred Vanderbilt, the pressure on the Lakers to trade for Dejounte Murray is only going to increase as they now desperately need an elite point-of-attack defender to be a legit contender.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Volume #3-Point Shooter

Bogdan Bogdanovic is the perfect high volume, high percentage 3-point shooter to give the Lakers the 3 or 4 made threes per game they need to reduce their 10-points per game negative 3-point shooting differential.

Despite ranking 14th in the league with a 36.9% percentage from deep, the Lakers still rank 30th or dead last in the league with just 30.7 attempted threes per game and 28th in the league with 10.8 made threes per game.
The Lakers problem is they simply do not take enough 3-point attempts per game to make enough 3-point shots to keep pace with their opponents. Instead, the try to offset poor shooting with paint points and free throws.

What the Lakers need are players who take 8 to 10 threes per game and make 3 to 4 of them. Bogdanovic currently makes 3.2 out of 8.4 threes taken per game (both more than anybody on Lakers) for a 37.5% clip.
Add those stats to Murray’s 2.3 makes out of 6.2 takes for 37.6% and Lakers’ new backcourt makes 5.5 threes out of 14.6 attempts for 37.5% vs. 4.3 makes out of 10.9 attempts for 39.4% for Russell and Reaves combined.

That’s 1.2 made threes per game or 3.6 points. Were the Lakers to increase their made threes per game from its current 11.3 per game to 12.5 per game, they would jump from 28th to 15th in the league in made threes.
Having just one high volume 3-point shooter like Bogdan could cut the Lakers’ usual 10-point per game negative 3-point shooting differential in half and eliminate a lot of those losses because Lakers cannot shoot.

The Lakers can transform their winning blueprint by adding a proven high volume, high percentage 3-point shooter like Bogdan Bogdanovic who can cut their 10-point per game negative 3-point shooting differential in half.

Nic Claxton, Rim Attacker and Protector

Word that Brooklyn is willing to consider trading center Nic Claxton could be the news the Lakers were waiting to hear as the Nets’ defensive center is exactly what the Lakers need a second big to play with and backup AD.

Claxton is 24-year old, 5-year veteran center averaging 12.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 29.8 minutes per game. Nic could start alongside Anthony Davis or back him up off the bench.
Nic’s 6′ 11″ and 215 lbs would give the Lakers another elite defensive big to help them deal with teams with jumbo big centers like the Nuggets with Jokic, Celtics with Porzingis, 76ers with Embiid, and Bucks with Lopez.

Having a second elite rim protector would allow Lakers’ coach Darvin Ham to have a proven quality shot blocker on the court all 48 minutes of a game, Right now, the Lakers leak points in the paint like water when Davis sits.
Having Claxton to anchor the defense when AD is on the bench should be a major upgrade over Christian Wood or Jaxson Hayes. It will enable Wood to focus on continuing to be the Lakers stretch big when they need spacing.

Rebounding is the other area where Nic Claxton will be extremely valuable. Having a second big who can average double-digit rebounds can only help the Lakers generate more dominant offense and defense in the paint.
Claxton’s 3.0 offensive rebounds per game will also be a big factor as well his ability to throw down monster dunks and create highlight reel blocks to thrill and excite his teammates. Nic’s sure to become a Lakers fan favorite.

While the Lakers major need was to upgrade their offense, choosing Claxton over a stretch center like Kelly Olynyk would essentially be the Lakers doubling down on defense being the team’s primary identity.