If folks wanna recognize The Covid Cup as a legitimate title then they can’t turn around and call for Vogel’s head after an injury-plagued season. I feel like the bubble situation served us well but the quick turnaround, condensed follow-up season wasn’t good for us. Stuff always seems to balance out. I think we definitely need to make adjustments but I don’t see us blowing everything up in what could be Lebron’s final season here. It’s just not what the organization has done in the past.
Los Angeles Lakers
Three Small Trades to Give the Lakers Rim Protection and 3-Point Shooting
The biggest mistake Rob Pelinka could make would be to fail to get LeBron James the help he needs to win another NBA championship. Right now, the Lakers desperately need better rim protection and volume 3-point shooting.
The problem is almost every one of the Lakers’ competitors are also looking for shot blockers and 3-point shooters, which makes their chances of filling their desperate needs via the buyout market an extremely long shot at best. As defending champs, the Lakers do not want to panic and break up their championship roster or hurt their great team chemistry and culture, which likely eliminates making a major trade for a star or superstar player.
The good news is here are three small trades that could bring back an elite rim protector and three high quality, high volume 3-point shooters without the Lakers having to give up any of their long term core rotation players.
1. Montrezl Harrell for Nerlens Noel and Reggie Bullock
This is a trade of backup centers by the league’s top two defensive teams with shooting guard Reggie Bullock included to match salaries. All three players are on expiring contracts and will become free agents this summer.
The Lakers make the deal because they get an elite shot blocker in Nerlens Noel who also has the mobility and athleticism to switch and defend smaller players on the perimeter, which is key to their trapping rotating defense. The Lakers also get a high quality, high volume 3-point shooter in Reggie Bullock, who’s averaging 38.1% on 4.5 threes per game, both of which would rank 3rd on the team for 3-point percentage and 3-point attempts.
The Knicks get needed instant offense off the bench in backup center Montrezl Harrell, reining 6th Man of the Year. Trez would give New York’s 23rd ranked offense desperately needed firepower in their playoff run.
2. Wesley Matthews and 2nd Round Pick for Wayne Ellington
This is a trade of older veteran shooting guards with the Lakers including a second round pick to sweeten the deal for the Pistons. Both players are on expiring contracts and will become unrestricted free agents this summer.
The Lakers make the deal because they’re in a win-now mode and need a high quality, high volume 3-point shooter like Ellington. Trading for Ellington, who’s averaging 43.5% on 6.2 threes per game, would help fix the problem. Right now, the Lakers have a negative 3-point differential of 2.7 points, making a 27th ranked 10.8 out of 30.8 attempted threes for 35.1% while allowing a 5th ranked 11.7 out of 32.6 attempted threes for 35.8%
The 10–25 Pistons meanwhile have the 29th worst record in the league and are in full rebuilding mode. Acquiring a second round pick by swapping Ellington for Matthews helps collect assets and improves their draft status.
3. Talen Horton-Tucker for Devonte Graham
This is a straight 1-for-1 player trade of backup lead guards. Both players are in the last year of their contracts and are expected to decline their qualifying offers and become highly coveted restricted free agents this summer.
The Lakers make the deal because they’re in a win-now mode and need the volume 3-point shooting and playmaking skills at which Graham excels. Devonte is shooting 35.5% on 6.8 threes and averaging 5.7 assists per game. While the 20-year old Horton-Tucker arguably has a greater upside, the 23-year old Graham’s 3-point shooting and playmaking are right now a better fit than THT to be the Lakers’ backup point guard for Dennis Schroder.
The 17–18 Hornets have put together an exciting young roster and the addition of LaMelo Ball and emergence of Terry Rozier have made Graham expendable. Trading for THT would give Charlotte another future star.
The addition of Nerlens Noel, Reggie Bullock, Wayne Ellington, and Devonte Graham would give the Lakers the elite rim protector and high percentage, high volume 3-point shooting to repeat as NBA champs.
Defensively, Noel would give the Lakers the shot blocking rim protector they miss without McGee and Howard. His impact would definitely give the Lakers’ top ranked defense a big boost the rest of the season and playoffs. More importantly, the addition of Noel would enable the Lakers to stagger his minutes with Davis to keep an elite shot blocker on the floor the entire game and allow the Lakers to have two mobile bigs to close out games.
But the biggest impact of the trades would be how they transform the Lakers offensively from a poor 3-point shooting team with a differential of -2.7 points to an elite team with a top-two 3-point differential of 9.5 points. Bullock, Ellington, and Graham combined to aake 196 out of 509 threes for a respectful 38.5% the first half of the season while Harrell, Matthews, and Horton-Tucker made just 49 out of 161 threes for a disappointing 30.4%.
Replacing Harrell, Matthews, and Horton-Tucker with better high volume shooters like Bullock, Ellington, and Graham could enable the Lakers to make 147 more and attempt 348 more threes the second half of the season. Making 147 additional threes over the last 36 games could generate 441 points or 12.3 points per game, giving the Lakers a +9.6 differential, which would have been second best for the first half behind the Jazz’s +16.8 points.
The impact of how Noel could upgrade the Lakers’ defense while Bullock, Ellington, and Graham could transform the offense is a perfect blueprint for the type of moves Rob Pelinka needs to make at the trade deadline.
Why Trading for Myles Turner Could Be Los Angeles Lakers’ Perfect Move!
While a third superstar to go with LeBron James and Anthony Davis to match the Nets’ Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden would be great, the perfect move for the Lakers could be to trade for Myles Turner.
In fact, there’s a case to be made that trading for Turner would be a smarter and more realistic move for the Lakers than trading for a superstar and Myles just might be available as playing him next to Sabonis is not working. However, it’s still going to take an impressive offer from the Lakers to tempt the Pacers to trade Turner, who’s leading the league with career best 3.4 blocks and career best 1.1 steals in a career high 31.5 minutes per game.
That’s why the Lakers need to offer a package for Myles Turner the Pacers couldn’t refuse: 27-year old 6MOY Montrezl Harrell, 25-year old two-way star Kyle Kuzma, and 20-year old potential superstar Talen Horton-Tucker.
Let’s review why this is a win-win trade, why Myles Turner could be key to the win-now Lakers repeating as champs, and why Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, and Talen Horton-Tucker could transform the Pacers into winners.
WHY THE TRADE IS A WIN FOR LAKERS!
The Los Angeles Lakers have two serious needs that must be addressed to repeat as NBA champs: better rim protection and more 3-point shooting. Trading for Myles Turner dramatically improves the Lakers in both areas.
While he’s not a superstar per se, Turner has the skill set to arguably be a superstar in the role he’d play on the Lakers, which is a modern starting center who can protect the rim on defense and space the floor on offense. Myles leads the league in blocked shots and has the quickness and mobility to defend smaller players on the perimeter. He’s also a career 34.7% 3-point shooter who takes 4.6 threes per game and finishes ferociously at the rim.
Turner is the missing puzzle piece that elevates the Lakers’ top ranked championship defense to the next level. He and Anthony Davis would give the Lakers’ defense an unmatched pair of pterodactyl sized shot blockers. More importantly, the Lakers could stagger Turner’s and Davis’ minutes to keep an elite rim protector on the floor for the entire game. And Myles has the size, mobility, hops, and athleticism to defend Jokic and Embiid.
Turner gives the Lakers the low post dunks off lobs and rugged rebounding they’ve missed without McGee and Howard and a faster, quicker, and more mobile defender who can rotate and challenge shooters on the perimeter. Unlike last year’s old school low post centers, Myles can’t be played off the floor defensively and doesn’t allow opponents to pack the paint offensively to prevent LeBron James and Anthony Davis from getting to the rim.
Finally, landing the 6′ 11,” 250 lb Turner solves the problem of Anthony Davis preferring to play most of his minutes at power forward to avoid the physical banging and injury risks that inevitably come from playing center. Pairing the 24-year old Turner with the 27-year old Davis also solidifies the Lakers’ starting front court for the next decade and helps to extend their championship window well past the eventual end of LeBron James career.
While giving up Harrell, Kuzma, and Horton-Tucker is a huge price to pay, the 24-year old 6′ 11,” 250 lb Turner has the potential to transform the Los Angeles Lakers from a one time champion into the NBA’s next dynasty.
WHY THE TRADE IS A WIN FOR THE PACERS!
Indiana’s experiment under new coach Nate Bjorkgren to play 6′ 11,” 240 lb Domantas Sabonis and 6′ 11,” 250 lb Myles Turner together is not working as the 15–18 Pacers have now lost 4 straight and fallen to 9th in the East.
While the Pacers won 4 of their first 5 games with Sabonis and Turner playing together, it’s become increasingly obvious two bigs front court has been a failure and they need to move Sabonis to center and trade Turner. The following chart using stats from NBA.com shows how the offensive, defensive, and net ratings of the Sabonis and Turner 2-player lineups and the Indiana Pacers as a team have declined each month this season.
Since Sabonis is the Pacers’ franchise player and Turner’s contract too expensive for a reserve, the Pacers would be smart to trade him now for multiple players who can provide them needed scoring and bench depth. With LeVert and Warren expected back sometime this season, the Pacers aren’t ready to tank. They just need to turn Turner into two or three players who fit better with their core of Sabonis, Brogdon, LeVert, and Warren.
The talented package of Harrell, Kuzma, and Horton-Tucker from the Lakers could be just what the Pacers need. Montrezl Harrell could be the instant offense small ball center they need when Domantas Sabonis rests. Kyle Kuzma could step right in and give their offense and defense a boost as starting power forward and 20-year old Talen Horton-Tucker is the wild card in the trade with his legitimate potential to become a future superstar.
A Pacers’ roster with Brogdon, LeVert, Warren, Kuzma, and Sabonis starting and Holiday, McDermott, McConnell, Harrell, and Lamb coming off the bench would clearly be a better, more diverse, and deeper playoff team.
Why Los Angeles Lakers Must Build a Superstar Big 3 to Win Championship!
The Brooklyn Nets’ Superstar Big 3 has raised the bar and upped the ante for what’s needed to win the NBA championship and may ultimately force both the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers to pursue a third superstar.
Make no mistake, the Los Angeles Lakers’ and Clippers’ front offices not only view the Nets as their likely opponent should they make the Finals but also as the biggest challenge and obstacle to their winning the championship. The Utah Jazz may dominate the regular season but the NBA playoffs have always been about superstars and the Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving are the greatest Superstar Big 3 ever assembled.
Lakers’ and Clippers’ fans can hope the Nets won’t be able to build a quality supporting cast, won’t have enough time to jell, or won’t be able to defend but the reality when it comes to superstars is three is greater than two. We’ve already seen in the regular season how losing one of their superstars to injury or pandemic contract tracing impacted the Lakers or Clippers far more than it did the Nets. Now imagine that happening during the playoffs.
The Brooklyn Nets’ Superstar Big 3 is going to transform the midseason trading period into an arms race like the NBA has never seen before as both the Lakers and Clippers will be actively chasing that elusive third superstar. Superstars duos like the Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis or the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard and Paul George may no longer be enough to win the championship now that the Nets boast a legitimate Superstar Big 3.
There are also other potential competing teams who understand that they need major upgrades to their lineups in the form of star or superstar players just to remain in second tier right below Lakers, Clippers, and Nets. The Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State Warriors will also be looking for a star or superstar player to upgrade their rosters to compete with tier 1 teams.
In a perfect world, the Lakers and Clippers would both love a center as the third superstar to complement their current two superstar while the Lakers need a volume 3-point shooting guard and the Clippers a true point guard. Unfortunately, neither the Lakers or the Clippers have the draft picks that are often essential when trading for a superstar player so they’re both going to have to get creative to outbid the second tier teams for a third superstar.
But the Lakers and Clippers do have multiple proven high quality role players under team friendly contracts that could be appealing to teams that opt to become sellers and trade a star or superstar as the deadline nears. Whether they can find a trade partner and deal is uncertain but both understand the Nets have jumped ahead of them in terms of superstars and they may be challenged to keep their championship windows open.
So who are the stars and superstars who could be on the move before the March 24th trade deadline? And which ones would have enough impact to qualify as the needed third superstar to give the Lakers or Clippers a Big 3?Here are the top candidates who make the most sense as third superstars for the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, ranked according to what it would take in the form of trading chips for the Lakers or Clippers to acquire them:
1. BRADLEY BEAL, WASHINGTON WIZARDS SHOOTING GUARD
Bradley would be the perfect candidate to level the playing field between the Lakers and Clippers versus the Nets. Unfortunately, it’s doubtful Beal will be available or either Los Angeles team has the chips to pull off a deal.
2. ZACH LAVINE, CHICAGO BULLS SHOOTING GUARD
Zach would also be a perfect candidate as the third superstar to go with LeBron and AD or Kawhi and PG. Like Beal, it’s doubtful the Lakers or Clippers could outbid what tier 2 teams could offer to pull off a trade.
3. KRISTAPS PORZINGIS, DALLAS MAVERICKS CENTER
Kristaps would also be a great fit on the Lakers or the Clippers and an elite upgrade at both ends over Marc Gasol or Serge Ibaka. If the Mavs decide to move Porzingis, he would be the perfect third superstar for the Lakers.
4. KYLE LOWRY, TORONTO RAPTORS POINT GUARD
While the Raptors are struggling, Kyle has been enjoying a great year and would immediately close the superstar gap between the Lakers or Clippers and the Nets. He would be the perfect third superstar for the Clippers.
5. VICTOR OLADIPO, HOUSTON ROCKETS SHOOTING GUARD
Victor might be the most attainable trade option as a third superstar for the Lakers or Clippers because of the injury and free agency concerns. He’s a better roster fit on the Lakers than the Clippers because of position.
6. NIKOLA VUCEVIC, ORLANDO MAGIC CENTER
Nikola is the wild card third superstar option for the Lakers and Clippers because the Magic have not shopped him despite their losing record and it’s likely they would want draft picks neither LA team has in a trade for him.
There are a multitude of minor tweaks the Lakers and Clippers can make to try and close the current gap between them and the Nets but they may find themselves competing with each other and the Nets for the same players. Should the Lakers and Clippers be unable to land one of the above six superstars, they will then have to settle for less impactful moves such as upgrading role players or picking up someone from the waiver wire.
Other candidates include the Hawks’ John Collins, Nuggets’ Michael Porter, Jr., Rockets PJ Tucker and Eric Gordon, Pelicans’ Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick, Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan or LaMarcus Aldridge, or Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen. Possible targets also include Magic’s Mo Bamba, Khem Birch, or Evan Fournier, Thunder’s George Hill and Trevor Ariza, Kings’ Buddy Hield and Nemanja Bjelica, Pistons’ Wayne Ellington, or Hornets’ Devonte Graham.
The only thing certain is the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers will need to make moves before the March 34th trade deadline if they want to be able to match up against the Nets’ Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving.
Lakers’ Championship Team Defense Blitzes Lillard and Shuts Down Blazers
The champion Los Angeles Lakers may have rediscovered their swarming championship team defense in the second half last night as they blitzed Damian Lillard and shut down the Portland Trail Blazers in a 102–93 win.
Besides ending a season longest 4-game losing streak, the win showed the Lakers were still capable of playing the caliber of defense that won their 17th championship despite missing their defensive anchor Anthony Davis. That was something NBA pundits had started to question as the Lakers had lost 5 of the 6 games without Anthony Davis while posting an 18th ranked defensive rating of 112.8 and watching their #1 defensive rating decline.
Buoyed by the return of point guard Dennis Schroder, the Lakers finally displayed the attacking and trapping defense that was the trademark of last season’s championship run in the bubble and had been MIA this season. After struggling to contain Lillard in the first half as he exploded for 24 points, the Lakers tightened their doubles and blitzes in a second half and held Dame to 11 points and the Trail Blazers as a team to just 36 points.
It was the kind of dominating second half defense the Lakers unleashed on high-powered scorers like James Harden, Nikola Jokic, Jimmy Butler, and the same Damian Lillard during their elite championship run in the bubble. Noteworthy, it was also the kind of defensive performance that had earned the Lakers’ the #1 defensive rating all season long but had been completely missing during their last 10 games which included 5 losses and 3 OT wins.
The Lakers defensive rating last night was a stellar 98.9 for the game and 78.3 for the second half. The performance lowered their leading defensive rating to 105.8 and extended their lead over second place Jazz to 1.5 points. Last night’s defensive performance also ended a 10-game streak where the Lakers defensive rating had declined to a 10th rated 109.4 and a 6-game stretch without Anthony Davis were it declined to an 18th rated 112.8.
While the Blazers were missing key players, last night’s performance was by far the Lakers’ best defensive game without AD and showed their ‘attack dog’ swarming, doubling, rotating team defense was not dependent on him. One of the keys to the Lakers’ great defense was LeBron James assuming Anthony Davis’ role and responsibility as the team’s defensive anchor with 10 rebounds, 5 deflections, 4 steals, 3 blocks, and 1 drawn charge.
It’s easy to forget what a major part of the Lakers’ defensive dominance in the playoffs was LeBron James’ elite individual defense, where he matched Anthony Davis’ 1.2 steals and his 0.9 blocks per game was team second best. Last night was a reminder 36-year old LeBron James can still dominate at both ends of the court when needed. James’ mantra has always been to do whatever the Lakers need to . Last night, it was dominant defense.
As a team, the Lakers grabbed 37 defensive rebounds, deflected 19 passes, made 9 steals, and blocked 7 shots with the aggressive swarming ‘attack dog’ defense that dominated as the Lakers won 16 of their 21 playoff games. They held the Blazers to 19 points in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a dominant 18 minute stretch covering the third quarter and first six minutes of the fourth when they allowed just 23 points
The Lakers’ defensive heroics were teamwide. Caruso had 6 deflections, 6 defensive rebounds, and 2 steals. Schroder had 5 deflections, 3 defensive rebounds, and 1 steal. Horton-Tucker had 5 defensive boards and 2 blocks. Kuzma had 6 defensive boards, Harrell had 4 defensive boards, 1 block, and 1 charge drawn, Morris had 1 deflection, 3 defensive boards, and 1 steal, KCP had 2 deflections and 1 steal. Gasol had 1 defensive board and 1 block.
Individual player defensive ratings were also stellar for the game. Top defensive ratings for the game were 78.3 by Montrezl Harrell, followed by 87.3 by LeBron James, 91.2 by Talen Horton-Tucker, 94.9 by Alex Caruso. Markieff Morris posted 97.8, Wes Matthew 100.0, Kyle Kuzma’s 104.4, and Dennis Schroder 104.9. The only Lakers with subpar ratings last night were Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 112.2 and Marc Gasol with 120.0.
The Lakers have three games before the All-Star break: Warriors on Sunday, Suns next Tuesday, and Kings next Wednesday. If they can play the same level of defense as last night, they’ll have a good chance to win all three.