Trading Dwight may be the only option - LAL/LAC/UTA
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:02 pm
I just don't think the Lakers can win with their current roster, coach, and system. I don't see how Gasol can bring back enough to fix the team, so the only option that I see is to trade Howard for quantity over quality. The only realistic options are probably Brooklyn and the Clippers, and as much as it would hurt to send Dwight to the other locker room, I think the Clippers can give the best package in terms of quality and fit. So here is my newest attempt.
Lakers Receive: Eric Bledsoe, Paul Millsap, DeAndre Jordan
Clippers Receive: Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison, Steve Blake
Jazz Receive: Lamar Odom, 2013 Clippers 1st (unprotected), 2015 Clippers 1st (unprotected), 2017 Clippers 1st (lotto protected in 17, top 3 in 18, unprotected in 19)
The Lakers sacrifice the best center in the game to get a much younger, much more balanced roster. Bledsoe is the key here, as he gives the Lakers the first legitimate defender at the point since, well I'm not really sure. He is a star in waiting, due to his emergence, the Clippers are only a net of 1.5 points per 100 possessions better with Chris Paul on the court vs with him off the court. Bledsoe can also play SG, so even when Nash is back and healthy at PG, he can still find 30+ mpg. The duo of Millsap and Jordan try to replace the loss of Howard, which of course they can't, until that is you factor in that Gasol will be a 50% better player without having to spend most of his minutes sharing the court with Howard. To me Bledsoe, Millsap, Jordan, and Gasol in a better role is better than Howard, Jamison, and an improperly used Gasol, or what he could fetch in a deal.
Lakers Depth
Nash (32) / Bledsoe (16)
Bryant (10) / Meeks (22) / Bledsoe (16)
MWP (24) / Bryant (24)
Millsap (32) / Gasol (8) / MWP (8)
Gasol (24) / Jordan (24)
The Clippers get Howard, that should be enough explanation.
The Jazz get a lot of future assets for a guy that they were unlikely to retain anyway.
Lakers Receive: Eric Bledsoe, Paul Millsap, DeAndre Jordan
Clippers Receive: Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison, Steve Blake
Jazz Receive: Lamar Odom, 2013 Clippers 1st (unprotected), 2015 Clippers 1st (unprotected), 2017 Clippers 1st (lotto protected in 17, top 3 in 18, unprotected in 19)
The Lakers sacrifice the best center in the game to get a much younger, much more balanced roster. Bledsoe is the key here, as he gives the Lakers the first legitimate defender at the point since, well I'm not really sure. He is a star in waiting, due to his emergence, the Clippers are only a net of 1.5 points per 100 possessions better with Chris Paul on the court vs with him off the court. Bledsoe can also play SG, so even when Nash is back and healthy at PG, he can still find 30+ mpg. The duo of Millsap and Jordan try to replace the loss of Howard, which of course they can't, until that is you factor in that Gasol will be a 50% better player without having to spend most of his minutes sharing the court with Howard. To me Bledsoe, Millsap, Jordan, and Gasol in a better role is better than Howard, Jamison, and an improperly used Gasol, or what he could fetch in a deal.
Lakers Depth
Nash (32) / Bledsoe (16)
Bryant (10) / Meeks (22) / Bledsoe (16)
MWP (24) / Bryant (24)
Millsap (32) / Gasol (8) / MWP (8)
Gasol (24) / Jordan (24)
The Clippers get Howard, that should be enough explanation.
The Jazz get a lot of future assets for a guy that they were unlikely to retain anyway.