Malcolm Brogdon

Lakers Must Surround Superstars With Championship Quality Starters

January 10, 2024 By LakerTom 6 Comments

The Lakers’ surprising and abysmal collapse after winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament has made it obvious L.A. needs to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with legitimate championship quality starters.

No disrespect to Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Can Reddish, Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura, or Jarred Vanderbilt. While they’re good backups and rotation players, they’re just not championship quality NBA starters.
While there are moves the Lakers could make to tweak or even upgrade positions with slightly better players, the harsh reality is those moves won’t change the overall dynamic and direction of this critical Lakers’ season.

The Lakers’ problem is they have simply failed to surround LeBron and AD with championship quality starters and that’s why the team is struggling right now to find a starting lineup and rotation that can consistently win.
That’s why nothing that head coach Darvin Ham tries changes anything. He simply does not have legitimate championship quality starters to play other than LeBron James and Anthony Davis and possibly Austin Reaves.

Part of the reason for that problem is the Lakers’ decision to focus on underperforming, modestly paid players under 30-years old whom they believed their coaching staff could grow and develop into better players. While that allowed them to build a deep and diverse bench, they would have been smarter to add proven, higher-paid veterans to their starting lineup because those players are the key to unleashing their superstars.

While the Lakers were smart to build a deep and diverse roster rather than using all their cap space on just 3 superstars, their mistake was failing to invest enough resources to surround James and Davis with quality starters.
Look at what the Celtics did to surround Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Los Angeles doesn’t have three players to surround their superstars who can match Boston’s Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, or Kristaps Porzingis

While salary and talent aren’t directly tied, teams usually get what they pay for. Boston starts their 5 highest paid players who combined earn $153.5 million per year, including 4 players who earn over $30 million per year.
While LeBron James and Anthony Davis earn $88.2 million per year, the other three Lakers’ starters only earn $18.6 million per year, bringing their total starting salary to 106.8 million per year, far less than the Celtics.

The only way the Lakers can save this season and have a chance at beating the Celtics to win their 18th NBA title is to pull of a series of blockbuster trades deadline moves to add at least two championship caliber starters.

POINT GUARD CANDIDATES

The Lakers’ top priority in building a new starting lineup is finding a new starting point guard since D’Angelo Russell will be traded, Austin Reaves is best off the bench, and LeBron James can’t play the position full time.

Finding an upgrade for D’Angelo Russell will be the Lakers’ greatest challenge as they approach the trade deadline. While Russell played well offensively, neither his offense or defense was championship caliber.
The challenge is exacerbated by the Lakers desperate need to improve the starting lineup’s poor 3-point shooting and offensive rating while also upgrading the quality of the starters’ point-of-attack perimeter defense.

Frankly, the Lakers have struggled since signing LeBron James 4 years ago to acquire an elite point guard who could effectively take over the position. Here are the Lakers’ current top three candidates for starting point guard:

Dejounte Murray, whom the Hawks traded for and extended 2 years ago and are looking to trade because he’s not the right fit with Trae Young, should be the Lakers’ #1 candidate to be their future starting point guard.

Dejounte Murray, 27, 6′ 5″, 180 lbs, $18.2M, 1-yr, Ext $25.5M, 4-yrs
20.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 5.1 ast, 0.3 blk, 1.4 stl in 34.5 mpg

Marcus Smart, former DPOY and elite point-of-attack perimeter defender whom the Celtics traded to the Grizzlies to get Kristaps Porzingis, should be the Lakers’ #2 candidate as their two-way point guard of the future.

Marcus Smart, 29, 6′ 3″, 220 lbs, $18.8M, 3-yrs
13.4 pts, 2.4 reb, 4.3 ast, 0.3 blk, 2.0 stl in 30.3 mpg

Malcolm Brogdon, a proven starting point guard who plays both ends of the court and is a career 39.0% 3-point shooter and former ROY and 6MOY should be Lakers’ #3 candidate as their new starting point guard.

Malcolm Brogdon, 31, 6′ 4″, 229 lbs, $22.5M, 2-yrs
15.4 pts, 3.5 reb, 5.4 ast, 0.1 blk, 0.8 stl in 27.3 mpg

The Lakers should trade for one of these three point guards. Murray adds offensive punch and defensive agility, Smart provides elite point-of-attack defense, and Brogdon brings solid 3-point shooting and perimeter defense.

SHOOTING GUARD CANDIDATES

The Lakers’ 2nd priority in building a new starting lineup is finding a new starting shooting guard to jumpstart the offense with 3 to 4 additional made threes per game to eliminate their 10-point negative 3-point differential.

The Lakers’ current formula for winning games requires them to win the points-in-the-paint and free-throws-made battles by more than 10 points per game to offset their 10-point negative 3-point shooting differential.
Trading for an elite high volume, high percentage 3-point shooter who could give the team 3 or 4 more made threes per game and create better spacing should be the Lakers #2 priority before the trade deadline.

The only way for the Lakers to eliminate their negative 3-point shooting differential is to take and make more threes. Here are three candidates who could deliver 3 or 4 additional made threes per game for the Lakers:

Bogdan Bogdanovic, who’s an elite high volume, high percentage 3-point shooters who’s currently shooting 37.3% on a career high 8.9 threes per game, should be the Lakers #1 candidate as starting shooting guard.

Bogdan Bogdanovic, 31, 6′ 5″, 225 lbs, $18.7M, 4-yrs
17.7 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.8 ast, 0.3 blk, 1.3 stl in 28.3 mpg

Buddy Hield, who’s been on the L.A.’s radar forever and always ranks among the league’s best high volume, high percentage 3-point shooters, should be the Lakers #2 candidate to be their starting shooting guard.

Buddy Hield, 31, 6′ 4″, 220 lbs, $19.2M, 1-yr
12.7 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 0.6 blk, 0.8 stl in 25.8 mpg

Zach LaVine, who’s the greatest trade risk due to injury history and mega contract but has the highest ceiling when it comes to talent and fit with James and Davis, should be Lakers’ #3 starting shooting guard candidate.

Zach LaVine, 28, 6′ 5″, 200 lbs, $40.0M, 4-yrs
20.7 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.4 ast, 0.2 blk, 0.9 stl in 35.0 mpg

The Lakers should trade for one of these three shooting guards. Bogdan is generating 3+ made threes and is best defender, Buddy is sure bet to add 3 to 4 threes per game, and Zach has the greatest upside and contract risk.

SECOND BIG CANDIDATES

The Lakers’ 3rd priority in building a new starting lineup is finding a second big to pair with Anthony Davis in a 2-bigs lineup and back him up when he rest. There are both offensive and defensive second big options.

Playing a second big doubles down on the Lakers’ winning blueprint of dominating points-in-the-paint and free-throws-made, valuable insurance if they can’t find a two guard to give them 3 or 4 more threes per game.
Having a second big who could stretch the floor with their shooting, create opportunities with their playmaking, and protect the rim with their shot blocking would transform the Lakers both offensively and defensively.

The Lakers need to find a second big to play with and without Anthony Davis to be a legitimate contender for their 18th NBA championship. Here are their best three options for a future second big to play with AD:

Kelly Olynyk, who’s on an expiring contract and would be the perfect offensive stretch big to play next to AD, should be the Lakers #1 candidate to be their future second big to play with and without Anthony Davis.

Kelly Olynyk, 32, 6′ 11″, 240 lbs, $17.2M , 2-yrs
8.0 pts, 5.1 reb, 4.6 ast, 0.3 blk, 0.8 stl in 21.5 mpg

Daniel Gafford, who’s a fierce dunker and rebounder and dominant shot blocker and defender against superstar bigs like Nikola Jokic, should be the Lakers #2 candidate as future second big to play with and without AD.

Daniel Gafford, 25, 6′ 10″, 234 lbs, $12.4M, 3-yrs
10.5 pts, 7.6 reb, 1.6 ast, 2.1 blk, 1.8 stl in 25.6 mpg

Draymond Green, who’s completed his 12-game suspension and is ready to return to the Warriors’ lineup but could find himself out of their future plans, should be the Lakers’ #3 candidate as second big to pair with AD.

Draymond Green, 33, 6′ 6″, 230 lbs, $22.3M, 4-yrs
9.7 pts, 5.5 reb, 5.8 ast, 0.7 blk, 0.4 stl in 32.6 mpg

The Lakers should trade for one of these second big candidates. Olynyk would be a dynamic second big to stretch the court, Gafford an elite rim protector and vertical threat, and Green an transcendent two-way star.

TOP-3 TRADE CANDIDATES

Lakers Top-3 Candidates: Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kelly Olynyk

The Lakers need to upgrade the three starters who will surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They need a new starting point guard, shooting guard, and second big to play with and complement their two superstars.

Whom do you like as the Lakers’ new starting point guard? Dejounte Murray, Marcus Smart, or Tyus Jones? What about the Lakers new starting shooting guard? Zach LaVine, Buddy Hield, or Bogdan Bogdanovic?
While replacing their backcourt with new point and shooting guards is the Lakers’ top priority, they also need a second big who can start next to Anthony Davis in a two-bigs starting lineup and cover whenever he rests.

Personally, I favor the Lakers trading with the Hawks for Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic and the Jazz for Kelly Olynyk. That would give the Lakers three new starters to play with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Murray, Bogdanovic, and Olynyk earn $54.1 million per year, meaning the Lakers would have to match those salaries, which means giving up Russell, Vincent, Prince, Hood-Schifino, and Hachimura plus major draft capital.

Murray and Bogdanovic immediately become the Lakers backcourt of the future. Dejounte is shooting 38.3% on 6.0 threes per game while Bogdan is shooting 37.5 on 8.9 threes per game. Together, that’s 14.9 threes per game.
Olynyk immediately becomes the dynamic second big who starts next to Davis and gives the Lakers a third high percentage 3-point shooter to create spacing for James and Davis as well as a solid rebounder and playmaker.

As the Lakers near the February 8, 2024 trade deadline, I’ll be looking to see ‘Lakers’ trade bombs’ from Shams or Woj for any of the 9 trade candidates listed in this article, but especially for Murray, Bogdanovic, and Olynyk.

How a Pacers Trade Solves the Lakers’ Needs for Size, Shooting, and Defense

June 14, 2022 By LakerTom 4 Comments

In what could be the opportunity the Los Angeles Lakers have been hoping for, Myles Turner appears likely to play out the last year of his contract rather than sign an extension which should move the Pacers to trade him.

The Lakers have long had a strong interest in Myles Turner and news that he will not sign an extension to stay with the Indiana Pacers should immediately rekindle the team’s interest in the 26-year old stretch center. Turner is exactly the player the Lakers need so that new head coach Darvin Ham can replicate the four-out, one-in offense his prior team, the Bucks, utilized with superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kris Middleton.

**Second First Round Pick Is From 2029, not 2028**

With Turner leaving, the odds Indiana decides to trade him to avoid losing him for nothing but the Lakers will need to be extremely aggressive if they hope to win any bidding war with the Hornets and teams coveting him. While it may not be enough, the Lakers should go all-in on a mega deal with the Pacers to trade Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, Nunn, and their 2027 and 2029 unprotected first round draft picks for Turner, Brogdon, and Hield.

While teams rarely remove protection from first round picks, this is one of those opportunities where the Lakers need to turn their 2027 and 2029 first round picks into something extremely special, valuable, and tradeable.

Why the Lakers Make the Trade?

The Lakers are facing a ticking clock as LeBron James’ and Anthony Davis’ championship window appears to be closing as James approaches 38-years old and Davis struggles to remain healthy and effective outside the bubble.

This trade is as perfect as a trade could be for the Lakers as it allows them to swap Russell Westbrook and filler for three legitimate starters with needed size, shooting, and defense to complement James and Davis. With Darvin Ham taking over as the head coach, the Lakers are expected to install the four-out, one-in offense used by his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks, to create spacing for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kris Middleton.

The key to the Bucks four-out offense working is having a stretch five center like Brook Lopez to be one of the four players stationed beyond the 3-point line. Other than in the bubble, Anthony Davis is not a proven stretch five. With Davis injured much of last season, the Lakers found themselves being destroyed by huge negative differentials in rebounding and points in the paint due to lineups that were undersized at almost every single position.

The problem is the Lakers lose their positional size advantage when they play LeBron and AD at the four and five. They need a center like Turner to allow James and Davis to dominate smaller players at the three and four. Starting a lineup of 6′ 5″ Malcolm Brogdon, 6′ 4″ Buddy Hield, 6′ 9″ LeBron James, 6′ 10″ Anthony Davis, and 6′ 11″ Myles Turner would give the Lakers the positional size advantage at all five of the positions on the floor.

Removing protection from two first round picks five and seven years from now when LeBron will be gone and Anthony Davis nearing the end of his career is a huge gamble by the Lakers but their only chance to land Turner.

Why the Pacers Make the Trade?

The Pacers need to decide what they’re doing. Are they going to try to completely rebuild from scratch or try to rebuild around Tyrese Haliburton and Isaiah Jackson and remain a playoff team in the Eastern Conference?

With Turner declining to sign an extension, it seems certain the Pacers are going to be looking to trade Turner as well as Brogdon and Hield, who are already on Indiana’s trading block. Pacers will surely not be short of suitors. The Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, and other NBA teams will have significant interest in Turner, who finished among the top two shot blockers in the entire league the past three years and is still only 26-years old.

With the Pacers undergoing a partial rebuild around Haliburton and Jackson, getting two unprotected Lakers first round picks could be attractive to an established and secure general manager like Kevin Pritchard. While the picks are five and seven years away, they’re unprotected for a team that could struggle badly once LeBron retires and Davis ages could make them extremely valuable and tradeable.

Indiana has long been the preferred trading partner for the Lakers, partly because of the players they have who are available in trade and partly because they are a franchise with a very stable front office situation. Unlike many genera managers, Pritchard will likely still be running the Indiana Pacers front office when the Lakers 2027 and 2029 first round picks will be used, although they will likely be traded multiple times.

Indiana not only gets two Lakers’ post LeBron unprotected first round picks that could be extremely valuable but also gets a future young star in Horton-Tucker and saves $65 million on Brogdon’s and Hield’s contracts.

How the Four ‘Right’ Players Could Transform the Lakers to Champions!

May 15, 2022 By LakerTom 11 Comments

Last season was a brutal reminder of how important picking the ‘right’ players is to success in professional sports. Rob Pelinka will have to do a better job this summer than he did last summer if the Lakers are to win.

Unfortunately, finding the ‘right’ players is difficult and more of an ‘art’ than ‘science,’ requiring a lethal instinct for player strengths and weaknesses and ability to envision how the different players will fit as a team. More than anything, Pelinka’s failure to properly assess the risk and cost of the Westbrook experiment failing was the kind of mistake that ends careers. He’s lucky he will get a second chance, even if it will be challenging.

Here are the Lakers’ player needs this summer: (1) point guard to run the offense, (2) shooting guard to space the floor, (3) modern physical center to protect the rim, and (4) defensive forward with size to guard bigger wings. Importantly, for these four players to be the ‘right’ players, three of them must be able to space the floor with 3-point shooting and three of them must be plus defenders capable of guarding multiple positions and levels.

Last season, the Lakers filled those needs with Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, DeAndre Jordan, and Talen Horton-Tucker. Unfortunately, Westbrook bombed, Jordan was cut, Nunn never played, and Horton-Tucker regressed. This season, with luck and blessings of the basketball gods, the four ‘right’ players filling those needs could be Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Nic Claxton, a major upgrade of Lakers’ roster.

The Lakers should be able to get Brogdon and Hield in a salary dump from the Pacers for Westbrook and 2027 first rounder, Hartenstein with their TP or NT MLE, and Claxton from the Nets for Horton-Tucker and 2029 first rounder. That’s 2 players and 2 picks from the Lakers for 4 players. They swap Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, 2027 first round pick, and 2029 first round pick for Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Nic Claxton.

So let’s take a closer look at what each of these four new players brings offensively and defensively and why they’re the ‘right’ picks to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis and transform the Lakers into a champs.

1. Malcolm Brogdon, Point Guard

Malcolm Brogdon, 29-years old, 6′ 5″, 229 lbs
19.1/5.1/5.9 and 44.8%/31.2% on 5.2 3PA/85.6

While trading for a difference-making point guard to reduce LeBron James’ on-ball and playmaking workload didn’t work with Dennis Schroeder or Russell Westbrook, trading for Malcolm Brogdon should be a winning move.

Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte are the Pacers’ backcourt of the future, which makes Malcolm Brogdon and his 3 years and $57.6 million an ideal chip to swap with Buddy Hield for Russell Westbrook’s expiring contract. Indiana has no interest in Westbrook as a player but are willing to take on his 1 year and $47.1 million to avoid Brogdon’s 3 years and $57.6 million and Hield’s 2 years and $39.1 million to save $49.6 million in long-term salaries.

One of the appeals to the Lakers of trading Westbrook and a first round pick to the Indiana Pacers is the opportunity to get a proven starting-quality two-way point guard like Malcolm Brogdon back as part of the trade return package. While the Lakers have to gamble Malcolm can stay healthy, they’re getting an All-Star point guard who is an elite 3-point shooter and playmaker with the size and physicality to defend multiple positions.

Brogdon is the ‘right pick’ for the Lakers to trade for as their new starting point guard. His size, 3-point shooting, and solid defense elevate him over other trade candidates like Terry Rozier, Derrick Rose, or Kemba Walker.

2. Buddy Hield, Shooting Guard

Buddy Hield, 29-years old, 6′ 4″, 220 lbs
15.6/4.4/2.8 and 44.7%/36.2% on 8.5 3PA/89.6%

Buddy Hield to the Lakers should have and almost did happen last summer but the Lakers changed course at the last minute and traded for Westbrook. Now, in a sweet shift of fate, the Lakers may have a chance for a do-over.

Most NBA pundits were surprised the Lakers did not go through with a proposed trade with the Kings for Hield last summer as he is the perfect high volume, high percentage 3-point shooter to complement LeBron and AD. Hield, part of Indy’s bounty from the Sabonis trade to Sacramento, makes too much to come off the bench. With Haliburton and Duarte set as their backcourt of the future, the Pacers need to trade Hield and Brogdon.

While not an elite defender, Buddy Hield has the size, strength, and quickness to be a plus defender, especially in a switch-everything defense with rim protection. Hield averaged 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks last season. Pairing the 6′ 4″ Hield with the 6′ 5″ point guard Brogdon gives the Lakers a big high-scoring backcourt with the range to rain threes, willingness to share the ball, and size and toughness to play physical defense.

Buddy Hield is the ‘right’ pick as the starting shooting guard for the Lakers because his high volume, high percentage 3-point shooting will create more space than candidates like Eric Gordon, Evan Fournier, or Kelly Oubre, Jr.

3. Isaiah Hartenstein, Center

Isaiah Hartenstein, 24-years old, 7′ 0″, 250 lbs
8.3/4.9/24 and 62.6%/46.7% on 0.3 3PA/68.9%

There may be no attainable player who could have a greater impact to unleash the beast in superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis and help the Lakers become a legitimate contender than Isaiah Hartenstein.

With LeBron James and Anthony Davis struggling to stay healthy in an increasingly physical NBA, the Lakers need to commit to signing a bully-ball modern center who will allow James and Davis to slide down one position. Hartenstein is the perfect fit for what the Lakers need, a mobile young center who can protect the rim and defend out to the 3-point line. In 17.9 minutes per game last season, Isaiah averaged 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals.

Hartenstein is the Clippers’ version of Malik Monk in that the most they can offer him next season is just $2.3 million, 120% of what he earned last year. Salary cap experts expect Hartenstein to fetch $7 to $8 million this summer. With a little salary cap magic, the Lakers should be able to keep their total payroll under the $155.2 million hard cap, which means they could offer Hartenstein up to the full $10.3 million of their MLE.

After a revolving door of failed ‘rent-a-centers.’ the Lakers have an opportunity this summer to sign Isaiah Hartenstein as their next great center. Hartenstein is the ‘right’ center at the ‘right’ price for the Lakers.

4. Nic Claxton, Power Forward

Nic Claxton, 23-years old, 6′ 11″, 215 lbs
8.7/5.6/0.9 and 67.4%/0.0% on 0.03PA/58.1%

There is no player more in demand in the NBA than a 6′ 8″ to 6′ 10″ mobile forward who can defend bigger wing scorers like Jason Tatum, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, or Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Claxton is defensive jack-of-all-trades in that he can play all three front court positions — small forward, power forward, and center — and defend all five positions at al three levels of the court-paint, midrange, beyond the arc. While a great lob but not shooting threat, Nic gives the Lakers a defensive tool who can protect the rim and defend the perimeter so well he cannot be played off the court like so many traditional low post bigs.

Fortunately for the Lakers, the Nets have too many centers and appear unlikely to want to extend Claxton at this time, which mean they would probably be willing to trade him for Horton-Tucker and a first round pick. Trading for Claxton also gives the Lakers the defensive specialist they need to play any style of basketball, especially during the regular season when the Lakers want to save playing Anthony Davis at the five for the playoffs.

While he can’t stretch the floor, Claxton is the fourth ‘right’ player for the Lakers to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He gives the Lakers an elite defensive center and shut-down wing defender to guard big scorers.

5. Four ‘Right’ Players Transform Lakers into Championship Team

When healthy, no team in the NBA has two better superstars than the Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The problem has always been finding the ‘right’ three players to start alongside their two superstars.

The four new players — Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Nic Claxton— should give LeBron James and Anthony Davis the high volume 3-point shooting and versatile positional size to unleash their games. Brogdon, Hield, Hartenstein, and Claxton should be the best four players on the Lakers after James and Davis. While Brogdon and Hield are 29-years old, 23-year old Hartenstein and Claxton make the Lakers younger.

The Lakers not only traded Russell Westbrook and a first round pick for two quality starters also swapped Talen Horton-Tucker and a first round pick for a starter and signed Hartenstein with their full MLE for a fourth starter. Signing Hartenstein for the full $10.3 million MLE requires the Lakers to be hardcapped for the rest of this season. Being able to stay under the $155.2 million hard cap gives the Lakers another $8.2 million in MLE and BAE.

Here’s a breakdown of how the Lakers get under the NBA hard cap:

Rob Pelinka is facing a difficult challenge to rebuild the Lakers to championship level with few trading chips but there are multiple legitimate rotation players who would transform the Lakers into a contender.

How Rob Pelinka Can Upgrade Lakers’ Starting Lineup to Create Dream Team

April 12, 2022 By LakerTom 10 Comments

Rob Pelinka needs a big offseason trade to transform the Lakers into a championship team by turning Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract and a pair of unprotected first round picks into three new starters.

The Lakers need size and athleticism across the board, better perimeter and interior defenders, and more elite shooters who can create their own shots. Specifically, they need three new starters to complement LeBron and AD. Malik Monk, Austin Reaves, Stanley Johnson, and Wenyen Gabriel are fine young Lakers players but none of them is close to being good enough at this point in their careers to be starters on a legitimate NBA championship team.

The Lakers’ problem is they have more holes to fill than trading chips to spend so they need to find a rebuilding team as trading partner who needs to dump rotation-quality players on long-term contracts to create cap space. Those are the teams for whom Russel Westbrook’s gigantic expiring contract and the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks will have real value. Talen Horton-Tucker’s and Kendrick Nunn’s value is now only as salary filler.

The NBA teams possibly looking to move key rotation players with multiple-year contracts for expiring contracts to free up cap space incudes the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, and New York Knicks. The NBA players on those four teams whom the Lakers could target include Pacers’ Turner, Hield, and Brogdon; Hornets’ Hayward, Rozier, and Oubre; Rockets Wood, Gordon, and Wall; and Knicks Randle, Walker, and Reddish.

Here’s what Pelinka needs to do position-by-position and player-by-player this summer to build a better starting lineup that can carry the Los Angeles Lakers to their league-leading 18th NBA championship next season.

1. Point Guard — Find Replacement for Russell Westbrook

The Lakers need a starting quality point guard as part of the return in any trade for Russell Westbrook and Malcolm Brogdon is a better fit than Terry Rozier, John Wall, and Kemba Walker, the other available point guards.

The 29-year old, 6′ 5,” 229 lb Brogdon averaged 19.1/5.1/5.9 in 33.5 mpg while shooting 44.8%/31.2%/85.6% compared to 33-year old, 6′ 3,” 200 lb Westbrook’s 18.5/7.4/7.1 in 34.3 mpg while shooting 34.3%/29.8%/66.7%. Brogdon is a major upgrade over Westbrook in every area. He’s a 37.6% career 3-point shooter with a 2.8 career assist/turnover ratio as playmaker vs Westbrook’s 30.0% career 3-point shooting and 2.0 career assist/turnover.

Besides being a better shooter and more efficient playmaker, Malcolm will be an even bigger upgrade over Russ on defense because he won’t blow rotations or take off plays and is 2″ and 29 lbs bigger and 4 years younger. Finally, Brogdon is locked up for three more seasons at $22.5 million per year which allows the Lakers to stabilize their starting point guard position with a proven player who can shoot, pass, and switch everything on defense.

There’s a potential Westbrook trade with the Pacers where the Lakers get Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield. Because the Lakers need a top quality replacement for Westbrook, the Indiana trade should be a top priority.

2. Shooting Guard — Find Volume Shooter Defenses Respect

Landing Buddy Hield as part of the return from a Russell Westbrook trade would be a rare opportunity to get a mulligan and redo the disastrous trade that, with injuries, derailed the Lakers’ championship hopes this season.

The Lakers were on the verge of trading Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell to the Sacramento Kings for Buddy Hield last summer before they changed their minds at the last minute and opted to trade for Russell Westbrook. Suddenly, with the Pacers interested in a salary dump of Brogdon and Hield in return for Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract, the Lakers have an opportunity to put together a dramatically bigger and better backcourt.

Buddy Hield is the high volume, high percentage 3-point shooter the Lakers need to stretch defenses to prevent teams from packing the paint and create spacing for LeBron James and Anthony Davis to attack the basket. This season, Buddy Hield averaged 15.6/4.4/2.8 on 35.6 mpg while shooting 44.7%/36.2%/88.6%. Buddy’s a career 39.8% 3-point shooter who has taken more than 8.5 threes per game over the last four NBA seasons.

The Lakers top trading partner priority this summer should be the Indiana Pacers because they have a legitimate starting quality point guard and shooting guard whom they’re willing to trade for Russ’ expiring contract.

3. Small Forward — Find Elite Three-Level Wing Defender

The Lakers’ greatest need this past season was for a legitimate 3&D small forward with the size and power to defend the bigger wing scorers the team faces like Kawhi Leonard, Pau George, Jason Tatum, and Kevin Durant.

We saw how frustrating it was for the Lakers this season trying to have 6′ 4″ Talen Horton-Tucker or 6′ 6″ Stanley Johnson trying to stop bigger wins who take smaller defenders into the paint for easy-to-make midrange jumpers. Bigger 3&D wing defenders are now the most desired addition on every NBA team’s roster. They’re a rare commodity in today’s NBA which is why the Lakers need to move Anthony Davis to small forward beginning this year.

While the injury prone Davis has often complained about having to endure the banging and physicality of playing the five, his dream as an NBA player is to actually to play small forward. Time has come to let AD live his dream. Starting Davis at the three would reduce the wear-and-tear Anthony would have to deal with playing the five full-time and give the Lakers the ultimate wing defender, a 6′ 11,” 250 lb athletic marvel who defend all three levels.

Moving Anthony Davis to starting small forward is part of a rebuilding the front court of the Lakers so they can play a modern version of the small-ball-on-steroids style that dominated the championship in the bubble.

4. Power Forward — Find Bully Ball Stretch Four

The other part of rebuilding the Lakers front court for next season to be more like the small-ball-on-steroids lineups that won the championship is playing aging superstar LeBron James as the starting bully ball stretch four.

The switch of AD to the three and LeBron to the four is not only designed to optimize Davis’ and James’ skillsets but also give the Lakers a dominant size advantage over opponents at every position. Positional size is a to priority. Building a roster with a starting lineup that consists of a 6′ 5″ point guard, a 6′ 4″ shooting guard, a 6′ 10″ small forward, a 6′ 9″ power forward, and a 6′ 11″ center will give the Lakers the flexibility to go super big or super small.

Playing LeBron at the four instead of the three also keeps James at 37-years old from wearing himself out chasing bigger wing scorers around screens and allows him to take advantage of his emerging 3-point shooting prowess. The 6′ 11″ Davis with his unicorn size and length could be more valuable to the Lakers as a 3&D small forward who can shutdown bigger wing scorers than as a small ball center who protects the rim and stretches the floor.

Moving LeBron to the four is playing him where his game can best take advantage of the skillset he’s developed as a 19-year, 37-year old veteran. Today’s LeBron James has become the quintessential bully ball stretch four.

5. Center — Find Rim-Protecting Modern Center

The key to the Lakers supersizing their lineups with 6′ 10,” 250 lb Anthony Davis at the three and 6′ 9,” 250 lb LeBron James at the four is the ability to find a starting center who can protect the rim and stretch the floor.

The player the Lakers need is the Pacers’ Myles Turner, a 26-year old 6′ 11,” 250 lb center who led the league with 2.8 and 3.4 blocked shots per game last two seasons and a 34.9% career 3-point shooting on 4.4 shots per game. The Lakers desperately miss the rim protection, dunks, and rebounds they got during the championship run from traditional low post centers Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee in addition to small ball center Anthony Davis.

Myles Turner not only gives the Lakers better shot blocking than they had during their 2020 championship run but also the benefit of being a stretch five center who can stretch the floor rather than being stuck in the paint. Turner will allow the team to play a modern version of a monster three bigs lineup with three 250 lb front court players or go small with the Lakers’ unique small-ball-on-steroids attack with Anthony Davis at the five.

The Lakers need to expand Hield and Brogdon for Westbrook trade to Hield, Brogdon, and Turner for Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, and the Lakers unprotected post LeBron James 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks.

Ranking the Lakers Trade Deadline Options With Only 24 Hours to Go!

March 24, 2021 By LakerTom 9 Comments

The clock is ticking and the Lakers have 24 hours left to find a playmaking, volume 3-point shooting, impact guard to replace LeBron James and a big rim protecting, athletic, shot blocking center to replace Anthony Davis.

The recent media take is the Lakers are willing to move some combination of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and Marc Gasol to find a playmaking, 3-point shooting guard to turbo charge their flailing offense. While their current position is they’re not willing to part with young Talen Horton-Tucker or their 2027 first round pick as part of any deal, it’s hard to see that preventing them from pulling the trigger on a promising trade.

The Lakers also seem committed to waiting for the buyout market after the trade deadline to sign Andre Drummond to protect the rim and stop the bleeding of opponent points in the paint that’s undermined their defense. The Cavs are almost certainly going to have to buyout Drummond and the opportunity to become the Lakers’ starting center and win a championship alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis make LA the heavy favorite.

So let’s take a closer look at the guards whom the Lakers may be targeting, how they would help solve the team’s current offensive woes, who are the major competitors, and what it might take for the Lakers to trade for them.

1. LONZO BALL

New Orleans Pelicans, PG, 23 yrs, 6′ 6,” 190 lbs
TYR$11,003,782, NYR $14,359,936 QO
14.2/4.2/5.6, 42.5/38.5/76.7%, 7.8 3PA

Lonzo is perfect point guard for the Lakers without or with LeBron. Adds playmaking and volume 3-point shooting. KCP is better option than Bledsoe or Redick at shooting guard and brings defense for 28th ranked Pelicans. If needed, Lakers should be willing to include THT or 2027 first round pick.

2. VICTOR OLADIPO

Houston Rockets, SG, 28 yes, 6′ 4,” 210 lbs
TYR $21,000,000
20.8/5.0/4.7, 41.1/33.3/76.7%, 7.7 3PA

Victor would be a great fit on both ends of court short and long term for Lakers if healthy. Playmaker, volume 3-point shooter, and elite defender. KCP is able replacement at the two and Rockets have cap space to re-sign Trezz. Trading for Oladipo is a gamble but could get coveted third superstar.

3. TERRY ROZIER

Charlotte Hornets, 27 yrs, SG, 6′ 1,” 190 lbs
TYR $18,900,000, NYR $17,905,263
20.2/3.8/3.3, 47.3/41.8/84.7%, 7.9 3PA

Terry would give the Lakers a playmaking, high scoring, high volume 3-point shooting guard they need to pair with Schroder. Harrell would give the Hornets the front court scorer they need and KCP an able replacement for Rozier. Trade could be expanded to include centers Gasol and Biyombo.

4. MALCOLM BROGDON

Indiana Pacers, 28 yrs, PG, 6′ 5,” 229 lbs
TYR $20,700,000, YR2 $21,700,000, YR3 $22,600,000
21.6/4.7/6.1, 46.0/39.8/87.7%, 6.5 3PA

Brogdon would be a terrific fit on the Lakers for the season and the playoffs. Excellent playmaker, volume 3-point shooter, and defender. KCP would be a good 3&D addition to the Pacers and Harrell the scoring backup to Sabonis and Turner they need. Lakers take advantage of Pacers cutting payroll.

5. KYLE LOWRY

Toronto Raptors, 34 yrs, 6′ 0,” 196 lbs
TYR $30,500,000
17.6/5.6/7.4, 43.8/39.1/88.4%, 7.2 3PA

Lowry would be the perfect point guard for the Lakers. True point guard who’s also a volume 3-point shooter, team leader, and proven defender. Raptors get young point guard replacement in Schroder, elite backup in Harrell, dump Baynes for return of Gasol, and quality guard depth in KCP.