If the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to shake up their roster, here are two trades the team can make before the season deadline.
LeBron James suffers biggest loss of career in 44-point game against Philadelphia 76ers is open Find out what changes need to be made in Los Angeles with Spectrum SportsNet.
a lot of. “When asked what changes the Lakers need to make to avoid a similar performance, James responded three times. “I don’t like it. “
“We got killed on the three-point line today.” LeBron’s reason for tonight’s loss was simple. pic.twitter.com/jb7vOFWr7B
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 28, 2023
It’s not unusual for a LeBron James-led team to make trades at the deadline. It’s relatively rare for LeBron’s team to remain unchanged at the trade deadline. With that in mind, here are some trade candidates the Lakers could make to improve their roster and push for another championship.
Lakers trade candidates
D’Angelo Russell, PG: Eligible to be traded after 12/15
With a salary cap hit of $17.3 million this year, Russell is the most obvious candidate for a salary-matching trade. Without Russell’s salary, it would be nearly impossible for the Lakers to acquire another star following LeBron James and Anthony Davis without his level of play making him unavailable. touch. Russell has been solid this year, averaging nearly 18 points and 6.5 assists per game, but he’s not a real driver for the Lakers in the long run because he’s not a defender who can provide the Lakers with extra athleticism. By.
Russell is good as a contender’s fourth option, which is how he was in Los Angeles, and he can punish some of the smaller backs in the playoffs. But if the Lakers want to improve their overall potential, using his contract to trade for a brighter star is basically a must.
Rui Hachimura, power forward: Available for trading after 1/15
For someone like Zach LaVine, for example, in a big deal, the Lakers would need to combine Russell’s salary with another substantive deal. Enter Rui Hachimura, who won’t be traded until mid-January, but his contract is worth $15 million, which also helps with salary matching. Hachimura, 25, had a solid playoff run last year and should have broad appeal to a variety of different teams at different positions around the league. A team that’s rebuilding might view Hachimura as a relatively cheap piece of their future core, or a team that’s close to contention might view him as a player who can push them over the top.
The Lakers still view Hachimura as a rotation player rather than a significant starter, but that may not be the case around the league. Therefore, Hachimura is a good trading chip.
Gabe Vincent, PG: Eligible for trade after 12/15
Vincent has only played in four games so far this season, so it might be strange to see him listed here. However, if the Lakers need to pay another significant salary ($10.5 million), Vincent could be moved to make the salary work. There’s a lot to like about Vincent’s performance in Los Angeles, and the Lakers would be wise to let that play out, but Vincent is by no means a lockout in a superstar trade.
Lakers unlikely to be traded
Anthony Davis and LeBron James, forwards: Yes, no.
Austin Reeves, guard: Reeves should be considered untouchable as he’s locked into a long-term deal with tremendous value throughout the life of his contract. Reeves has shown all the potential to be a capable complementary star alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James, and once his shooting numbers return to average, he’ll be playing at a high level again.
Jared Vanderbilt, forward: If anything, the Lakers need more Players like Vanderbilt surround their core of stars, no less. Vanderbilt locks in the future and brings the athleticism and defense that make a lot of sense next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Other teams may come calling, but the Lakers can make a deal happen without his involvement.
Cam Reddish, forward: Reddish has been a pleasant surprise defensively and seems to be Davon Ham’s favorite. He would be more valuable to the Lakers than anyone else on the trade market.
Taurus Prince, Striker: The same goes for Prince, a veteran wing who doesn’t have any real standalone trade value but can still provide the Lakers with quality minutes and experience.
Two trades for Lakers to explore
Lakers/Bulls trade
Lakers send: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Max Christie and 2029 first-round pick
The Bulls send: DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso
The Lakers appear to be interested in Zach LaVine amid trade rumors, but DeRozan might make more sense as he’s a better version of Russell and Rui Hachimura in the Los Angeles offense as another back-up center Distance scorer. Bringing DeRozan home for a championship would be a good story, but bringing Caruso back to Los Angeles is the real steal. Caruso’s incredible point-of-attack defense will make the Lakers a potential defensive juggernaut. Trading a first-round pick so far into the future is a little scary, but with LeBron’s career winding down, the Lakers should go all out.
Lakers/Raptors trade
Lakers send: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood Schifino and 2029 first-round pick
Raptors send: Pascal Siakam
Can a giant frontcourt of LeBron, Siakam and Anthony Davis work together? This could create some major matchup issues, and Siakam, another versatile big man who can attack off the dribble, will be a nightmare to defend. The Raptors have been burned by off-contract stars before, so if they’re convinced that Siakam has hit free agency, getting Rui Hachimura, Hood Schifino, long-wing prospects and future draft picks Wouldn’t be a bad choice this offseason. It will be a gamble for health purposes, but the sheer scoring talent will inject some life into the 23rd-ranked Lakers offense.
Other trade candidates to consider: CJ McCollum (NOP), Malcolm Brogdon (POR)