While the Lakers have what may be the best defense in the NBA playoffs, their offense is prone to struggling, especially when their shooters are not hitting from deep and teams are packing the paint to limit their superstars.
The Lakers’ offense needs a third superstar who’s a guard, a center who can stretch the floor, and a coaching staff who can create an offensive scheme to better empower superstar forwards LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Making savvy moves to accomplish these three goals during the coming offseason should be the Lakers’ top priority. Here are three exciting moves they should make to upgrade their offense to match their elite defense:
1. Re-sign DeMarcus Cousins
Despite evidence the Lakers’ best lineup is with Anthony Davis at the five, the Lakers don’t appear interested in making that their starting or primary lineup at this time since Davis continues to prefer to play power forward.
The dilemma the Lakers face is the two centers they currently rely upon are both traditional back-to-the-basket defensive centers JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard, who tend to clog up the paint and hurt offensive spacing. Because Vogel’s a strong believer great defense starts inside-out with rim protection, any Lakers’ stretch five center will need to be able defensively to hold his ground in the post as well as be a legit threat as a 3-point shooter.
Re-signing DeMarcus Cousins is the logical answer to finding a center who can space the floor as well as defend in the low post. Cousins experience playing alongside Anthony Davis in New Orleans make the ideal choice. Before his Achilles injury two years ago, Boogie was on pace to become the first center in NBA history to take over 500 and make close to 200 threes, which was why the Lakers originally signed him at the start of last season.
NBA observers expect Dwight Howard to leave the Lakers in free agency this offseason and DeMarcus Cousins to be re-signed as his replacement. Re-signing Boogie would be the first step to upgrading the Lakers’ offense.
2. Trade for Victor Oladipo
The Pacers’ poor performance in the NBA playoffs has resulted in the firing of head coach Nate McMillan and rumors the team should trade 28-year old All-Star guard Victor Oladipo before he becomes a free agent next season.
The arguments to trade Oladipo include concerns about the small market Pacers’ financial ability to retain him in free agency and worries regarding his health and fit with a team that played better without him than with him. Right now, the Pacers are not able to offer Victor an extension for more than 20% more than the $21 million he is going to be paid next season, which means they would have to wait until next season if they want to keep him.
Waiting to try and sign Oladipo to a max contract two offseasons from now raises the risk of losing him for nothing, which the Pacers cannot afford to do. That’s why everybody expects them to look to trade him this offseason. Oladipo will also have the same leverage Anthony Davis used to force his way to the Lakers by threatening not to re-sign if the Pacers don’t trade him to a team he prefers, which could open the door for the Lakers to get him.
LeBron should follow Kawhi’s example with PG and meet with Victor and convince him to demand a trade to the Lakers for Kuzma, Green, and a pick. It would be an opportunity for Victor to win a ring with LeBron and AD.
3. Hire Alvin Gentry
There’s no question Frank Vogel’s a great defensive coach and has done a fantastic job coaching LeBron James and Anthony Davis and positioned the Lakers to have a great chance at winning their 17th NBA championship.
But the Lakers’ offense has not been as dominating as their defense despite having two top-five superstars. The offense relies too heavily on isolation plays for their superstars and lacks the elite spacing of a modern offense. The front office and the difficulty of building a championship roster with limited cap space and trade assets are partially responsible but the coaching staff also deserves blame for the team’s static and dated offensive schemes.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ firing of head coach Alvin Gentry could give the Lakers the perfect opportunity to upgrade their coaching staff with one of the brightest and most respected offensive minds in today’s NBA game. Before his stint as Pelicans’ head coach, Gentry was the lead assistant under Steve Kerr at Golden State and the architect responsible for transforming the Warriors’ offense into a legendary championship juggernaut.
Vogel likes having former head coaches on his staff and we’re likely to have a vacancy. Frank needs an offensive coordinator to innovate that side of the game and Alvin Gentry would be the perfect candidate for the position.
There will surely be changes to the Lakers’ roster next season whether or not they win the championship. Anthony Davis, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Avery Bradley, JaVale McGee, and Rajon Rondo all have player options. Dwight Howard, Markieff Morris, Dion Waiters, Jared Dudley, and two-way players Devontae Cacok and Kostas Antetokounmpo will all be free agents. There’s rumors the Lakers could lose Bradley and Howard to free agency.
While the Lakers won’t have cap space, they will have a $9 million MLE, which they could use to sign a veteran point guard like Goran Dragic, who would be the perfect replacement if Avery Bradley opted out of his contract. An upgraded Lakers’ starting lineup next season of Goran Dragic, Victor Oladipo, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins backed by Rondo, Caruso, KCP, Morris, and McGee would be championship caliber.
With the pandemic forcing teams to cut expenses, a rich local television contract, and an ownership committed to winning, the Lakers should have opportunities next season to upgrade their offense to match their defense.
As we have a few days off before we head into the second round of the playoffs, I wanted to take a quick glimpse into the future considering the recent news that (1) the Lakers would likely be playing the small ball Houston Rockets in the second round, (2) the Pelicans fired head coach Alvin Gentry, and (3) the Pacers are likely to trade Victor Oladipo this offseason to prevent losing him for nothing as a free agent the following offseason. It’s my opinion that each of these three events could portend a possible blueprint for the Lakers to upgrade their roster this offseason.
First, it’s no secret I believe the Lakers need to modernize their offense by having a stretch five center who can pull opposing centers away from the rim to open up lanes for LeBron James and Anthony Davis to attack the paint. It also appears that AD is not willing to play the five full time or Frank Vogel is not willing to play him at the five full time. In that case, the only solution is for the Lakers to replace one of their traditional centers with a stretch five and Boogie would be the logical choice although there are other candidates like Marc Gasol or Aron Baynes.
Second, the Lakers need a third superstar and he should be a guard since all of the great sperstar duos or trios included a backcourt player. Kobe and Shaq, MJ and Pippen, Magic and Kareem. I believe the Lakers logical target should be Victor Oladipo, who could deplay the same strategy that AD used to force a trade from New Orleans to Los Angeles. I think it would take Victor saying he would not re-sign if traded to any other team but the Lakers to get him for Kuzma, Green, and a first. There are other candidates but none with the leverage that Victor will have this offseason.
Finally, Vogel needs help on the offensive side. He’s a great coach and a defensive genius but still is behind the times on the offensive side of the game. Alvin Gentry, who was the architect of the Warrior’s offensive resurgence would be the perfect addition as he’s already familiar with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins from his Pelicans days. Frank’s always liked having savvy former coaches on his staff and we’re likely to lose Jason Kidd to one of the current NBA coaching vacancies.
Three exciting moves the Lakers could make this offseason to transform their offense into the best in the league to match their #1 ranked defense. Let me know what you think. Thanks.
I get that, but I think we need a great 3 shooter, like Beal or Dame, or CJ, etc. I guess I am not on the Cousins bandwagon because of health. My Yanks are falling apart because of injuries.
This response if for DJ and Gerald,
There are several reasons why pursuing Victor Oladipo rather than Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, or CJ McCollum makes more sense for the Lakers.
First issue is availability. None of the four players being discussed are free agents this offseason. Beal, Lillard, and McCollum are all on contracts with multiple years to go and none of their teams has any intention of trading any of them.
Oladipo, however, is in the exact same situation that Anthony Davis was with one year to go on his contract and his team worried about losing him for nothing in free agency the following offseason. That’s the #1 reason why the Lakers should pursue him. He is available. The others aren’t.
Second issue is whether the Lakers have enough tradable assets to acquire the player. What the Lakers have in the form of trading chips is Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green ($15M expiring contract), and their #28 first round pick. That’s probably not enough to get any of the players we’re discussing, including Oladipo. But Victor has the same leverage AD had and can force the Pacers to trade him to the Lakers if he wants to. That’s the #2 reason you pursue him.
Third issue is fit. As Kuzma has learned, there’s not a lot of shots left after LeBron and AD so a heavy usage player like Beal, Dame, or CJ, who are not going to be satisfied with being the #3 player on a team. Coming off an injury and tired of losing, playing with LeBron and AD could appeal to Victor. At 6′ 4″ he’s a player who at his peak two years ago was an elite scorer and led the league in steals. Lakers need a superstar guard and Oladipo is available, affordable (with his help), and a perfect fit.
Tom, please stop with this infatuation with Victor Oladipo. You’re beginning to concern me…
Lol???
Gerald,
See my response to you above. What is your concern? There are numerous teams including Miami who are high on trading for Victor. There is no better potentially guard than Victor whom the Lakers can pursue.
Defense is another reason why Oladipo would be a perfect fit on the Lakers:
“Oladipo is a disruptive defender (15th-most steals since 2013-14, 10th-most defensive win shares among guards over that stretch), a shot-creator (for himself and his teammates) and a capable shooter (career 35.0 percent from three). He can thrive alongside Young and prevent the pitfalls this offense suffered when he took a seat.”
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2906488-surprising-offseason-trades-for-nba-lottery-teams