Lakerholics

A Lakers Fan Community

Fred VanVleet

Why Lakers Need Backcourt Upgrade To Win Another NBA Championship

By 19 Comments

With their starting front court now set with the Hachimura trade, the Los Angeles Lakers next move should be to upgrade their backcourt by pulling off a trade for the Toronto guard duo of Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent, Jr.

Upgrading their backcourt by replacing Dennis Schröder and Patrick Beverley with a pair of star guards from the Raptors in Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent, Jr. would improve the Lakers both on offense and defense.
It’s the also kind of move that would require the Lakers to give up both of their available first round picks, which Rob Pelinka says Los Angeles would only be willing to do if it would make them championship frontrunners.

With the trade for Hachimura, the Lakers starting front court is now set with Rui likely starting at the three, LeBron at the four, and AD at the five. That leaves the starting backcourt as the Lakers’ area of greatest need.
The NBA is still a guard’s league and the top teams in the league regularly get as much as 50 to 60 points per game from their backcourt. The Lakers’ backcourt only averages 39.8 points per game, 23rd out of 30 NBA teams.

To make the Lakers backcourt woes worse, it’s not like Schröder and Beverley are making it up with great individual defense. They’re undersized and frankly underqualified to be starters on a championship contender.
The eye test and analytics confirm that Schröder and Beverly are not plus defenders. They’re almost always outscored by their opposing duo, who’re usually players earning greater salaries and averaging double digits.

The time has come for the Lakers to upgrade their backcourt with a pair of guards who have the 3-point gravity to fix the Lakers’ spacing issues and the defensive grit and tenacious ability to play elite perimeter defense.

How VanVleet and Trent Jr. Help Lakers Offensively

The Los Angeles Lakers greatest offensive need in the backcourt is high volume, high percentage 3-point shooting to create spacing to free up superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to attack the paint and rim.

The biggest difference is VanVleet and Trent Jr. combined are averaging 37.8 points per game vs 18.3 points per game than Schröder and Beverley, more than twice as many points per game on slightly better shooting stats.
That’s a difference of almost 20 points per game, which will go a long way towards improving the Lakers win-loss record. Most importantly, half of those extra 20 points per game are due to more volume 3-point shooting.

Together, VanVleet and Trent, Jr. make 5.5 and take 15.8 threes per game while Schröder and Beverley make just 2.3 and take just 6.8 threes per game. The difference in made threes represents 9.6 points per game.
And that’s not counting the additional points that LeBron James and Anthony Davis get because there suddenly are wide open lanes to the basket because defenders cannot leave VanVleet or Trent, Jr. alone.

The balance of the 20 points per game more that VanVleet and Trent, Jr. generate comes because Fred and Gary are simply better offensive players. Their 3-point gravity opens doors that Schröder and Beverley simply can’t.
No disrespect but there’s a reason Fred and Gary combined earn more than twice as much as Dennis and Patrick. They’re bigger, younger, and more talented and their skillsets are better fits for the Lakers’ backcourt needs.

The Lakers have already begun their backcourt makeover by trading Nunn. If they want to compete for a championship, they need the volume 3-point shooting and better offense Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent, Jr. can provide.

How VanVleet and Trent Jr. Help Lakers Defensively

The Los Angeles Lakers greatest defensive needs in the backcourt are preventing opposing guards from breaking down the defense and getting into the paint and forcing rotations that lead to easy wide-open threes.

The Lakers as a team rank 21st out of 30 NBA teams. While Schröder and Beverley have reputations as good defenders, the eye test this season has told a different story as opposing guards routinely blow by both of them.
Schröder’s and Beverley’s individual DefRtgs are 16th and 14th respectively out of the 18 players who have played for the Lakers this season. Their poor perimeter defense is part of why the Lakers are 20th out of 30 in DefRtg.

Strong point-of-attack defense begins with aggressive defenders who can pressure the ball and slow down the ball handler without fouling. Steals by guards are a good measure of how well a perimeter defense is working.
VanVleet averages 1.5 steals and Trent, Jr. 1.8 steals per game, for 3.3 total steals per game. Schröder averages just 0.7 steals and Beverley just 0.8 steals, for 1.5 total steals per game. VanVleet and Trent, Jr. play better D.

Steals are the result of increased activity by defenders, stealing the ball from dribblers, making interceptions by jumping the passing lanes, and doing whatever they can to disrupt and derail the other team’s offense.
Toronto ranked 1st out of 30 NBA teams by averaging 9.6 steals per game and VanVleet’s and Trent, Jr.’s 3.3 steals per game were a big part of that. The Lakers ranked 23rd in the league with just 4.7 steals per game.

The Los Angeles Lakers replacing Dennis Schröder and Patrick Beverley with Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent, Jr. as their starting backcourt would upgrade their perimeter defense to be among the best in the league.

Five ‘Gettable’ Players To Give Lakers Improved Size, Shooting, and Defense

By 10 Comments

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the clock and time is running out. Right now, the 20–24 Lakers are 13th in the West 1.0 game out of 10th and the Play-In Tourney and 2.0 games out of 6th and a guaranteed playoff spot.

The Lakers need to start winning games and climbing in the standings immediately if they want a legitimate chance to compete for championship this season. Unfortunately, the Lakers only have 38 games left in season. Realistically, they’ve already lost too many games to win 6th seed and a guaranteed playoff spot unless the crazy parity in the West holds. It took a 48–34 record last year to finish 6th and L.A. has already lost 24 games.

When it comes to the Play-In Tournament, however, the Lakers would have to completely collapse to finish below the 10th seed. While a 48–34 record guarantees a playoff spot, a 34–48 record would make the Play-in Tourney.
The realization that the best they can likely do for the regular season is make the Play-In Tournament has been a bitter pill to swallow and one of the reasons the Lakers have been hesitant to trade away their two picks.

In the end, though, the Lakers know, if they have a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis playing at their best and give them a better supporting cast, they have more than a puncher’s chance to win the championship.
Having committed to only making trades that will improve the team both this season and the next two seasons, the Lakers have narrowed their trade strategy to focus on players who can still be contributors in the near future.

Knowing their best path to winning #18 is being patient and trading for players who complement and fit with James and Davis, here are five ‘gettable’ players to give the Lakers improved size, shooting, and defense.

1. Bojan Bogdanovic, Starting Small Forward

Bojan Bogdanovic is the top player on the Lakers ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board. His elite 3-point shooting and big time scoring is the perfect complement to the Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

While Bojan is 33-years old, the Lakers are betting that he still has several productive years left as indicated by his scintillating performance this season where he’s averaging career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.
The Lakers desperately need size, shooting, and defense. Bojan puts a big check next to both size and shooting. He should immediately become the Lakers best option when they need a basket to tie or win a close game.

If the Lakers decide to make just one trade, it should be to trade either Beverley, Nunn, Jones, and one first round pick for Bojan Bogdanovic or Russell Westbrook for a combination of Bogdanovic, Noel, and Burks.

Bojan Bogdanovic, Small Forward, 33-years old, 6′ 7″, 226 lbs
21.2/3.6/2.8 on 14.6/5.9/5.2 shots for 48.7%/41.5%/88.5% in 31.4 mpg

2. Fred VanVleet, Starting Point Guard

Second on the Lakers’ ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board is the Toronto Raptors’All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet, who’s a volume 3-point shooter who optimizes possessions and can run a championship offense.

Fred VanVleet is exactly what the Los Angeles Lakers need from a starting point guard. He’s a career 37.5% 3-point shooter on over 6 threes per game, a former Eastern Conference All-Star, and a proven championship winner.
While he’s only 6′ 1″, VanVleet is an excellent defender who’s averaged over 1.5 steals per game in each of the last four seasons. Fred has a player option for $22.8 million next season so can become a free agent this summer.

While the Raptors have several players the Lakers covet, the more likely deal is for the Lakers to just trade Beverley, Walker, Nunn, Jones, and a first round pick for Fred VanVleet and save Westbrook for a Pistons trade.

Fred VanVleet, Point Guard, 28-years old, 6′ 1″, 197 lbs
18.7/4.4/6.3 on 15.8/8.6/4.2 shots for 38.4%/33.4%/89.0% in 36.8 mpg

3. Nerlens Noel, Backup Center

Next on the Lakers’ ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board is Detroit Pistons backup center Nerlens Noel, who is still an elite defensive center with the quickness, hops, and timing to generate steals and block shots.

Noel’s value to the Lakers is as a backup center to anchor the team’s second unit defense and protect the rim when Anthony Davis is on the bench. In three recent starts for the Pistons, he averaged 1.7 steals and 2.3 blocks.
The overall defensive impact of having an elite shot blocker on the court for all 48 minutes of a game cannot be minimized. The lack of any rim protection with Davis out has been one of the Lakers’ greatest weaknesses.

The recent negotiations between the Lakers and the Pistons on a potential Bogdanovic and Noel trade has been encouraging. Trading for Bojan and Nerlens would give the Lakers a massive boost offensively and defensively.

Nerlens Noel, Center, 28-years old, 6′ 10″, 220 lbs (3 games as starter)
3.7/3.7/1.3 on 3.3/0.7/0.0 shots for 50.0/50.0%/0.0% in 20.3 mpg
Key defensive stats: 1.7 steals and 2.3 blocks in 20.3 mpg.

4. Alex Burks, Starting Shooting Guard

Veteran Pistons shooting guard Alex Burks is next on the Lakers’ ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board. Burks not only gives L.A. a shooting guard with size but also one who has shot over 40% the last four seasons.

Burks is the perfect fit as the Lakers’ starting shooting guard. He’s averaging 45.3% from deep on 4.4 threes per game and has shot over 40% from three for the last four seasons and has a 38.3% career 3P%.
Alec Burks, along with Fred VanVleet and Bojan Bogdanovic, give the Lakers three starters who shoot threes and combined made 7.3 of 18.9 3-point attempts per game this season for a 38.6% completion rate.

Alec Burks would be the third elite 3-point shooter the Lakers trade for and the third player coming back from the Pistons along with Bogdanovic and Noel as part of a Russell Westbrook and first round pick trade.

Alec Burks, Shooting Guard, 31-years old, 6′ 6″, 214 lbs
13.8/3.0/2.2 on 9.2/4.4/4.0 shots for 46.5%/45.3%/81.0% in 21.8 mpg

5. Cam Reddish, Backup Power Forward

Cam Reddish is the last player on the Lakers’ ‘Gettable’ Players Trade Deadline Big Board. The Lakers use Lonnie Walker $6.5 million expiring contract to trade with the Knicks for young small forward Cam Reddish.

Reddish has been a huge disappointment for the Knicks, who spent a first round pick to acquire him from the Hawks. They’re even desperate enough to give him up for just matching salary and a pair of second round picks.
But the Lakers have a problem in that they will not have cap space to re-sign Lonnie Walker and would like to avoid losing him for nothing like they did Alex Caruso and Malik Monk. The solution is swap him for Reddish.

By trading Walker for Reddish, the Lakers avoid losing the former to free agency with nothing in return and get the latter’s Bird Rights so they can go over the cap to re-sign him should he turn out to be a good acquisition.

Cam Reddish, Small Forward, 23-years old, 6′ 8″, 217 lbs
8.4/1.6/1.0 on 6.8/2.8/1.7 shots for 44.9%/30.4%/87.9% in 21.9 mpg

Best Six Trades the Los Angeles Lakers Could Pull Off Before Trade Deadline?

By 8 Comments

While the Play-In Tournament and a plague of parity has limited the number of teams who are sellers at this point in the season, that could change dramatically as we approach the February 9 trade deadline.

Over the next month, the Lakers should see more teams become buyers and asking prices dropping as we reach the halfway point in the season and the cost for dumping a contract like Westbrook’s is cut almost in half.
It’s one thing to trade for a player due $47 million and having to pay his full salary for the entire year versus only having to cover the second half of the $47 million owed to Westbrook. It’s like Russ in on a 50% off sale right now.

Same is true of the $20.4 million in Beverley’s, Nunn’s, and Jones’ expiring contracts. Right now, teams taking over those contracts will only end up paying out $10.2 million since the Lakers have already paid half of that.
Right now, there is a plague of parity that has given almost every team in the league a realistic chance at making at least the Play-In Tournament if not the actual playoffs themselves. That will change over the next month.

As we head toward the February 9 trade deadline, here are the best zero-pick, one-pick, and two-pick Lakers trades for Westbrook and the best zero-pick, one-pick, and two-pick Lakers trades for Beverley and Nunn.

1. Best Zero-Pick Lakers Trade for Russell Westbrook

Lakers and Knicks agree to trade without any draft capital. Knicks take on Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract while Lakers take on 2-years and $55.9 million owed Fournier and 3-years and $82.7 million owed Randle.

While the trade doesn’t transform the Lakers into instant contenders, it does give them needed upgrades in size and shooting without costing them any picks, giving Los Angeles three available picks to trade this summer.
Since all three contracts are for 2 or 3 years, the Lakers will have over $47 million in tradeable contracts to go with the 3 available first round picks, perfectly positioning Los Angeles for a blockbuster trade this summer.

If the Lakers are willing to accept over $135 million in Fournier’s and Randle’s multi-year deals, they can probably upgrade their roster via a trade with the Knicks without giving up any of their first round picks.

2. Best Zero-Pick Lakers Trade for Beverley and Nunn

Lakers and Hornets agree to trade without any draft capital. Hornets take on Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract. In return, the Lakers take on the 2 years and $73.1 million remaining on Terry Rozier’s contract.

Since the Lakers are taking back over $70 million in Rozier’s contract, there is no way they’re also going to give up a first round draft pick. The Hornets will also only have to pay half of Russ’ $47 million contract at this point.
Both this deal and the potential zero-picks trade with the Knicks are simple salary dumps where the Lakers would normally receive a first round pick for taking on the extra salary, which is offset by taking on Russ’ contract.

If the Lakers are willing to take back over $70 million in future salary as the cost for trading Westbrook to the Hornets, then there’s a good chance they can pull off a trade for Russ that does not include any first round picks.

3. Best One-Pick Lakers Trade for Russell Westbrook

Wizards take on Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract and get Lakers unprotected 2027 first round pick while Lakers take on 1 year and $36.0 million owed Porzingis and the 1 year and $13 million owed Kuzma.

There’s a good chance that the Lakers will compromise with LeBron James by trading one and keeping one of their two available tradeable first round draft picks to potentially use in a mega trade for a third star next summer.
On draft day, the Lakers would be able to offer their 2023 first round pick along with their 2027 and 2029 picks, giving them a total of 3 draft picks that could be packaged with Kuzma and Porzingis to trade for a third star.

If the Lakers decide to keep one of their available two picks, then they need to be able to bring back difference making size, shooting, and defense via the other first round pick. Porzingis and Kuzma are well worth 1 pick.

4. Best One-Pick Lakers Trade for Beverley and Nunn

Hornets get L.A’s first round draft pick for taking on Beverley’s $13.0 million, Nunn’s $5.2 million, and Jones $1.8 million expiring contracts while Lakers take on the 2-years and $20.5 million owed to Bogdanovic.

Bogdanovic would be the perfect addition to the Lakers starting lineup and would give LeBron James and Anthony Davis the elite 3-point shooting and deadeye midrange shooting Los Angeles needs to close out four quarters.
Considering that the Pistons would only have to pay the second half of Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract, the Lakers 2027 unprotected first round draft pick should be enough for L.A. and Detroit to agree upon.

Landing an elite starting 3&D wing like Bogdanovic plus a promising young 3&D wing like Bey should be enough for the Los Angeles Lakers to give up one of their two available first round draft picks without any protection.

5. Best Two-Pick Lakers Trade for Russell Westbrook

Raptors take on Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract while the Lakers take on the 1 year and $22.8 million owed VanVleet, the 2 years and $22.5 million owed Boucher, and the 1 year and $18.6 million owed Trent, Jr.

The beauty of this trade from the Lakers standpoint is they get a trio of new starters to go with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in point guard Fred VanVleet, shooting guard Gary Trent, Jr., and power forward Chris Boucher.
The Lakers get three new starters under 30-years old who are proven above average career 3-point shooters who can play defense. The Raptors get two potentially top-5 post-LeBron James unprotected first round draft picks.

The Toronto Raptors are struggling right now and unless there’s a sudden winning streak, they’re likely to decide to rebuild around Scottie Barnes, which means the Lakers could tempt them with two unprotected picks.

6. Best Two-Pick Lakers Trade for Beverley and Nunn

The Raptors O.G. Anunoby is probably the most coveted 3&D wing in the league right now. Lakers give up the $20.4 million in Beverley’s, Nunn’s, and Jones’ expiring contract for the 2 years and $38.5 million owed Anunoby.

Awarding the Raptors their 2027 and 2029 first round picks without any protection for a non-All Star player like Anunoby would be a bold move to fill the gaping hole the Lakers have had in wings the last three seasons.
In a way, it’s the kind of simple strategic move that is a double win: a huge upgrade to give LeBron and AD a chance to win in the current season and an long-term investment to add a difference maker at a coveted position.

Trading Beverley, Nunn, Jones, and their 2027 and 2029 unprotected first round picks to the Toronto Raptors for elite 3&D wing O.G. Anunoby would be the best two-pick Los Angeles Lakers trade for Beverley and Nunn.

Could Lakers Swap Westbrook & Picks for All-Star Guard at Trade Deadline?

By 9 Comments

Just when it looked like AD’s injury had doomed the Lakers to another losing season, a series of unrelated events suddenly opened the door for a possible deadline trade of Westbrook and picks for a superstar guard.

While we’re still a month and half away from the February 9 trade deadline, it’s now looking more and more like the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards are going to become sellers.
That’s exactly what Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers front office have been hoping would happen as the trade deadline got closer and teams had to make the hard decisions whether to become buyers or sellers.

The prospect of Trae Young, Zach LaVine, or Fred VanVleet suddenly becoming available right when the Lakers desperately need a superstar guard alongside James and Davis seems almost too good to be true.
But maybe the Basketball Gods just wanted to see whether the Hawks, Bulls, Raptors, and Wizards truly valued the Lakers’ two unprotected post-LeBron James first round draft picks as guaranteed top-5 picks.

That Trae Young and Zach LaVine are also clients of Rich Paul and the Klutch Sports Group like LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kendrick Nunn, Troy Brown, Jr., and Juan Toscano-Anderson clearly favors the Lakers.
There’s no question Rich Paul would like to see Young or LaVine join up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers and we’re going to see a vigorous campaign to convince Atlanta and Chicago to trade them.

Whether Young, LaVine, or VanVleet end up getting traded to the Lakers will depend on their teams’ decision to be buyers or sellers and how much they value the Lakers two unprotected post-LeBron James draft picks.

1. Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic Trade

In Atlanta, the 16–16 and 8th seed Hawks continue to struggle in the East. Trae Young could soon be on the trading block as his shooting has been off and he’s had conflicts with John Collins and head coach Nate McMillan.

If the Hawks continue to struggle, they’ll have a tough decision to make. Pairing Trae Young and Dejounte Murray has not solved their need for defense and offensive balance. Their best move may be to trade Young.

The trade would be great for the Lakers as Young and Bogdanovic could slide right into the starting lineup alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Lonnie Walker IV. Trade might give Lakers best starting five in NBA.

2. Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic Trade

In Chicago, the 13–18 Bulls are considering blowing it up as conflicts have arisen between Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan. Word is Klutch Sports is pushing hard to get LaVine out of Chicago and to the Los Angeles Lakers.

While the Lakers and Bulls discussed trading for DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, the better fit for the Lakers is obviously LaVine and Vucevic. If not for Zach’ injury history, this would be Lakers’ top trade.

For the Lakers, Zach LaVine would address their long-term needs for a superstar guard to replace LeBron James while Nikola Vucevic would address their short-term needs for a starting center until AD returns.

3. Fred VanVleet, O.G. Anunoby, Otto Porter, Jr. Trade

In Toronto, the Raptors are trying to decide whether now is the right time to blow the team up and rebuild around Scottie Barnes. Gary Trent, Jr. could be on the market as well as Fred VanVleet and O.G. Anunoby.

The 14–18 Raptors are currently 10th in the East and are 3–7 in their last 10. If they fall any further back, it’s likely to force them into becoming sellers. Getting two post-LeBron first round picks from Lakers would be a bonus.

For Lakers, VanVleet and Anunoby would move right into the starting lineups with Porter Jr. providing depth off the bench. Trade gives Lakers size, shooting, and defense. Season saving trade if it happens.

4. Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis Trade

Finally, in Washington, D.C., the Wizards are trying to figure out what do with Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis, both of whom will become unrestricted free agents next summer. Again, the Lakers are lurking.

The 12–20 Wizards are stuck in a tough place. They just signed Bradley Beal to a 5-year max contract that has a no-trade clause. They need to be tanking, which means trading off pieces that help them win games.

This is a great trade for the Lakers. They not only get Kuzma back but get a starting center in Kristaps Porzingis who will fill in for Anthony Davis now and give L.A. great long-term front court size, shooting, and defense.

Four Top NBA Free Agents the Lakers Could Steal with Sign-&-Trade Deals!

By 1 Comment

The Los Angeles Lakers could have a unique opportunity to steal a top free agent this offseason due to a perfect storm of events that could give several elite players leverage to force their teams to make sign-and-trade deals.

The key events unlocking this opportunity for the Lakers teams are the presence of teams unwilling to reward their free agents and the absence of winning teams with the cap space to sign them as unrestricted free agents. The only way for these free agents to get paid what they’re worth and end up playing for a winning team is to use the threat of signing as free agents to force their teams to sign-and-trade them to avoid losing them for nothing.

Because all of these players are unrestricted free agents, there are no rules preventing the Lakers from contacting their agents and offering more than their teams would be willing to pay to set the stage for a sign-and-trade. With Kyle Kuzma’s rookie contract, $20 million in expiring contracts, and their 2020 first round pick, the Lakers have exactly what teams looking to avoid long term commitments would want to make a sign-and-trade deal.

Here are the four top free agents the Lakers could steal with sign-and-trade deals. All four are proven young players with upside who could be valuable trading chips in a future sign-and-trade deal for an available superstar.

1. Toronto Raptors Point Guard Fred Van Fleet

Fred VanVleet is a 26-year old point guard who averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 35.8 minutes per game for the Toronto Raptors. He earned $9.3M last year and should see that jump to $15M to $18M.

VanVleet would fill the Lakers need for a 3rd scorer and 2nd playmaker. Lakers could offer Fred $21M per year for 3 years in a sign-and-trade for Kyle Kuzma ($2M), Danny Green ($15M), and their 2020 first round pick.

2. Brooklyn Nets Shooting Guard Joe Harris

Joe Harris is a 28-year old shooting guard who averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 30.9 minutes per game for the Brooklyn Nets. He earned $7.7M last year and should see that jump to $12M to 15M.

Harris is an elite 3-point shooter who’d fill the Lakers need for a 3rd scorer. Lakers could offer Joe $18M per year for 3 years in a sign and trade deal for Kyle Kuzma ($2M), Danny Green ($15M), and their 2020 first round pick.

3. Detroit Pistons Power Forward Christian Wood

Christian Wood is a 24-year old power forward who averaged 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assist in 21.4 minutes per game for the Detroit Pistons. He earned $1.6M last year and that could jump to $15M to $18M.

Wood is the biggest gamble but also has potential to be a star. The Lakers could offer Christian $20M per year for 3 years in a sign-and-trade for Kyle Kuzma ($2M), Danny Green ($15M), and their 2020 first round pick.

4. Los Angeles Clippers Power Forward Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell is a 26-year old power forward who averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 27.8 minutes per game for the LA Clippers. He earned $6M last year and that could jump to $18M to $20M.

Harrell is a Klutch Sports client and top candidate for 6MOY. The Lakers could offer Montrezl $22M per year for 3 years in a sign-and-trade for Kyle Kuzma ($2M), Danny Green ($15M), and their 2020 first round pick.

The Miami Heat and perennial losing teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, and Phoenix Suns are the only NBA teams with the cap space to sign a $20M free agent this offseason. That means top free agent players like Fred VanVleet, Joe Harris, Christian Wood, and Montrezl Harrell are going to have to get creative if they want to get paid and play for an NBA team with a chance to win a championship.

While the Raptors, Nets, Pistons, and Clippers have Bird rights to sign VanVleet, Harris, Wood, and Harrell, the Pistons are the only team that is likely to offer a market value contract to their talented young free agent. That opens the door for the Lakers and other playoff teams to steal one of these young stars by offering their team the opportunity to get something back via a sign-and-trade instead of losing the player for nothing.

With revenues plummeting due the Covid-19 pandemic and recession, the rich teams in the NBA are just going to get richer and the poor teams poorer. This offseason, the Lakers will be hungry sharks on the prowl.