Re: Lakers Active On Trade Market, Unlikely To Make All-In Move

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Los Angeles Lakers remain active on the trade market, sources tell The Athletic. The Lakers, however, are more likely to stand pat or make a half-measure trade rather than go all-in with both of their first round picks that are available to be traded.

The Lakers are searching for better two-way wings, a better backup center and another playmaker. The Lakers are expected to prioritize adding either a big or ballhandler as the eventual return of Jarred Vanderbilt could give them an improved two-way wing.

The Lakers previously acquired Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets. In doing so, they sent out D'Angelo Russell's midsized expiring contract that limits their ability on the trade market now.

While the Lakers are in the middle of the Western Conference, there is a belief they could go on a playoff run. Rebuilding is the least likely option as there have been no indications that either LeBron James or Anthony Davis want to leave.

Via Jovan Buha/The Athletic

[God Squad]

What would a "Lakers all-in move" be? By my estimate, they don't have much to offer.

[YourGM99]

What can they get for Rui, Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, and a minimum salary filler. They don’t need a back up center, they need a starting center. A big part of their problem is that AD is the only rim protector on the team and he keeps telling you his not a center and it’s evident when they play any team with a traditional center. Also, it would be nice if they were able to get a combo guard who can create his own shot and is not a complete liability on defense. Robert Williams and Simmons from Portland? Myles Turner? Brogdon and Valanciunas from the wizards?

[Rek]

What would a "Lakers all-in move" be? By my estimate, they don't have much to offer.

Best they could hope for is Kessler or Robert Williams 3 and probably someone overpaid like Bruce Brown. Only chance they have at Kessler is coughing up 1 or both of their FRPs. Don't see it happening unless Ainge decides to play ball and Rob decides to use those picks. Highly doubtful.

Only players anyone would covet would be Reaves, Rui, Christie, and Knecht. I'd be shocked if Rob is willing to part with any of them except perhaps Rui.

No team is taking on Gabe Vincent unless Lakers are including draft assets. Even moreso for Vando. I'm not expecting much in terms of trades.

[Pickled Prunes]

What would a "Lakers all-in move" be? By my estimate, they don't have much to offer.

Best they could hope for is Kessler or Robert Williams 3 and probably someone overpaid like Bruce Brown. Only chance they have at Kessler is coughing up 1 or both of their FRPs. Don't see it happening unless Ainge decides to play ball and Rob decides to use those picks. Highly doubtful.

Only players anyone would covet would be Reaves, Rui, Christie, and Knecht. I'd be shocked if Rob is willing to part with any of them except perhaps Rui.

No team is taking on Gabe Vincent unless Lakers are including draft assets. Even moreso for Vando. I'm not expecting much in terms of trades.

An all-in move would be landing Cam Johnson and a backup center without trading away anyone averaging 20+ MPG. I don't think that makes them a contender, but that's about as "all-in" as they could get.

Trading for a starting center is a lateral move and would only be done to appease AD. That's a white flag trade.

OK, how about this:
Jimmy to LAL
Claxton and Cam Johnson to MIA
Rui, Vanderbilt, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent to BRK

LAL and MIA each send one 1st and two 2nds to BRK.

[TimeisIllmatic]

Doesn't matter what moves the Lakers make; it's been time to blow it up for awhile.

[YourGM99]

What would a "Lakers all-in move" be? By my estimate, they don't have much to offer.

Best they could hope for is Kessler or Robert Williams 3 and probably someone overpaid like Bruce Brown. Only chance they have at Kessler is coughing up 1 or both of their FRPs. Don't see it happening unless Ainge decides to play ball and Rob decides to use those picks. Highly doubtful.

Only players anyone would covet would be Reaves, Rui, Christie, and Knecht. I'd be shocked if Rob is willing to part with any of them except perhaps Rui.

No team is taking on Gabe Vincent unless Lakers are including draft assets. Even moreso for Vando. I'm not expecting much in terms of trades.

An all-in move would be landing Cam Johnson and a backup center without trading away anyone averaging 20+ MPG. I don't think that makes them a contender, but that's about as "all-in" as they could get.

Trading for a starting center is a lateral move and would only be done to appease AD. That's a white flag trade.

OK, how about this:
Jimmy to LAL
Claxton and Cam Johnson to MIA
Rui, Vanderbilt, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent to BRK

LAL and MIA each send one 1st and two 2nds to BRK.

Gutting their roster for Butler makes no sense. They need another rim protector to cover for the weak perimeter defense. Rui is not a rim protector nor is 40 year old LeBron. With Vando coming back Rui becomes more expendable. Miles Turner provides you the same offensive output as Rui but he solves one of your main defensive problems. Then they really just need a decent combo guard who can create his own shot and gives effort on defense.

[Pickled Prunes]

Best they could hope for is Kessler or Robert Williams 3 and probably someone overpaid like Bruce Brown. Only chance they have at Kessler is coughing up 1 or both of their FRPs. Don't see it happening unless Ainge decides to play ball and Rob decides to use those picks. Highly doubtful.

Only players anyone would covet would be Reaves, Rui, Christie, and Knecht. I'd be shocked if Rob is willing to part with any of them except perhaps Rui.

No team is taking on Gabe Vincent unless Lakers are including draft assets. Even moreso for Vando. I'm not expecting much in terms of trades.

An all-in move would be landing Cam Johnson and a backup center without trading away anyone averaging 20+ MPG. I don't think that makes them a contender, but that's about as "all-in" as they could get.

Trading for a starting center is a lateral move and would only be done to appease AD. That's a white flag trade.

OK, how about this:
Jimmy to LAL
Claxton and Cam Johnson to MIA
Rui, Vanderbilt, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent to BRK

LAL and MIA each send one 1st and two 2nds to BRK.

Gutting their roster for Butler makes no sense. They need another rim protector to cover for the weak perimeter defense. Rui is not a rim protector nor is 40 year old LeBron. With Vando coming back Rui becomes more expendable. Miles Turner provides you the same offensive output as Rui but he solves one of your main defensive problems. Then they really just need a decent combo guard who can create his own shot and gives effort on defense.

I would agree with you if not for these two things.
1) Rui is the only decent player they would be giving up.
2) The best way to fix weak perimeter defense is by adding solid perimeter defenders. Bringing in a rim protector and moving Lebron to the perimeter (where he perpetually gets toasted) is the opposite of solving that problem. Would you rather have a center that blocks 9 shots per game or a center that doesn't have to?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think anyone should want Jimmy... but this move would make them better. Better than they are now and better than if they bring in a starting center... but not a contender.

[YourGM99]

An all-in move would be landing Cam Johnson and a backup center without trading away anyone averaging 20+ MPG. I don't think that makes them a contender, but that's about as "all-in" as they could get.

Trading for a starting center is a lateral move and would only be done to appease AD. That's a white flag trade.

OK, how about this:
Jimmy to LAL
Claxton and Cam Johnson to MIA
Rui, Vanderbilt, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent to BRK

LAL and MIA each send one 1st and two 2nds to BRK.

Gutting their roster for Butler makes no sense. They need another rim protector to cover for the weak perimeter defense. Rui is not a rim protector nor is 40 year old LeBron. With Vando coming back Rui becomes more expendable. Miles Turner provides you the same offensive output as Rui but he solves one of your main defensive problems. Then they really just need a decent combo guard who can create his own shot and gives effort on defense.

I would agree with you if not for these two things.
1) Rui is the only decent player they would be giving up.
2) The best way to fix weak perimeter defense is by adding solid perimeter defenders. Bringing in a rim protector and moving Lebron to the perimeter (where he perpetually gets toasted) is the opposite of solving that problem. Would you rather have a center that blocks 9 shots per game or a center that doesn't have to?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think anyone should want Jimmy... but this move would make them better. Better than they are now and better than if they bring in a starting center... but not a contender.

They are not getting past Denver without a starting center. Yes, I would put LeBron on the perimeter guarding the weakest offensive threat on the court that’s playing 1-3. This is where the combo guard comes in that gives effort on D because Reaves would be the 6th man. Lebron (PG), Combo guard (SG), DFS (SF), AD (PF), and Turner (C). Bench: Reaves, Dalton, Vando, etc. The last time LeBron was the PG and AD was the PF and both were healthy the lakers won a championship. This isn’t rocket science, the lakers have the formula for winning a championship with LeBron and AD but for some reason they are running from what worked when both were healthy. Additionally, LeBron’s defensive efficiency and effort improves in the playoffs. Will jimmy butler help them? sure but you’re still cooked when it comes to Jokic or any traditional center they face in the playoffs. If this was 36 year old Lebron then you could probably get away with him being a rim protector but they need to build a roster that hides LeBron and AD’s current deficiencies.

[Liam_Gallagher]

There's no market out there for the Lakers to trade two firsts for. Perhaps Butler, but he's old.

I think CJ McCollum would be a good fit for the Lakers off the bench. Rui, Vincent, Hood-Schifino with three seconds should get the job done. Send back a filler to make it work (Antonio Reeves?)

G - Reaves | James Jr.
G - Christie | McCollum | Milton
F - James Sr. | Knecht | Redish
F - Finney-Smith | Vanderbilt
C - Davis | Wood | Hayes

[Pickled Prunes]

Gutting their roster for Butler makes no sense. They need another rim protector to cover for the weak perimeter defense. Rui is not a rim protector nor is 40 year old LeBron. With Vando coming back Rui becomes more expendable. Miles Turner provides you the same offensive output as Rui but he solves one of your main defensive problems. Then they really just need a decent combo guard who can create his own shot and gives effort on defense.

I would agree with you if not for these two things.
1) Rui is the only decent player they would be giving up.
2) The best way to fix weak perimeter defense is by adding solid perimeter defenders. Bringing in a rim protector and moving Lebron to the perimeter (where he perpetually gets toasted) is the opposite of solving that problem. Would you rather have a center that blocks 9 shots per game or a center that doesn't have to?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think anyone should want Jimmy... but this move would make them better. Better than they are now and better than if they bring in a starting center... but not a contender.

They are not getting past Denver without a starting center. Yes, I would put LeBron on the perimeter guarding the weakest offensive threat on the court that’s playing 1-3. This is where the combo guard comes in that gives effort on D because Reaves would be the 6th man. Lebron (PG), Combo guard (SG), DFS (SF), AD (PF), and Turner (C). Bench: Reaves, Dalton, Vando, etc. The last time LeBron was the PG and AD was the PF and both were healthy the lakers won a championship. This isn’t rocket science, the lakers have the formula for winning a championship with LeBron and AD but for some reason they are running from what worked when both were healthy. Additionally, LeBron’s defensive efficiency and effort improves in the playoffs. Will jimmy butler help them? sure but you’re still cooked when it comes to Jokic or any traditional center they face in the playoffs. If this was 36 year old Lebron then you could probably get away with him being a rim protector but they need to build a roster that hides LeBron and AD’s current deficiencies.

How many centers in the NBA are better than AD? Can LAL get that player? How many perimeter defenders are worse than Lebron?

You don't gain anything by moving AD to PF, but you do lose something by moving Lebron to the wing. Him trying harder in the playoffs doesn't negate that.

[YourGM99]

I would agree with you if not for these two things.
1) Rui is the only decent player they would be giving up.
2) The best way to fix weak perimeter defense is by adding solid perimeter defenders. Bringing in a rim protector and moving Lebron to the perimeter (where he perpetually gets toasted) is the opposite of solving that problem. Would you rather have a center that blocks 9 shots per game or a center that doesn't have to?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think anyone should want Jimmy... but this move would make them better. Better than they are now and better than if they bring in a starting center... but not a contender.

They are not getting past Denver without a starting center. Yes, I would put LeBron on the perimeter guarding the weakest offensive threat on the court that’s playing 1-3. This is where the combo guard comes in that gives effort on D because Reaves would be the 6th man. Lebron (PG), Combo guard (SG), DFS (SF), AD (PF), and Turner (C). Bench: Reaves, Dalton, Vando, etc. The last time LeBron was the PG and AD was the PF and both were healthy the lakers won a championship. This isn’t rocket science, the lakers have the formula for winning a championship with LeBron and AD but for some reason they are running from what worked when both were healthy. Additionally, LeBron’s defensive efficiency and effort improves in the playoffs. Will jimmy butler help them? sure but you’re still cooked when it comes to Jokic or any traditional center they face in the playoffs. If this was 36 year old Lebron then you could probably get away with him being a rim protector but they need to build a roster that hides LeBron and AD’s current deficiencies.

How many centers in the NBA are better than AD? Can LAL get that player? How many perimeter defenders are worse than Lebron?

You don't gain anything by moving AD to PF, but you do lose something by moving Lebron to the wing. Him trying harder in the playoffs doesn't negate that.

It’s not about being better than AD at center, it’s about putting a roster around AD and Lebron that fits better without gutting their roster for one player or staying status quo. AD struggles against actual centers, go look up their games against teams who have actually centers. Zubac just put up 21pts and 19 rebs (8 offensive rebs), Jarret Allen 20pts and 17 rebs, Steven Adam 7 offensive rebounds in 17mins, etc. Myles Turner gives you the same shooting ability as Rui but he also fixes your interior defense problems and rebounding. This helps AD and Lebron. Also, this allows the lakers to play with more size at every position and creates more offensive mismatches. How many of these smaller PFs can guard AD? Because he has the ability to guard out on the perimeter.

Also, LeBron doesn’t have the same lift to be an interior defender or rim protector. Putting him on the perimeter guarding the weakest offensive perimeter player helps him and allows him to play passing lanes or just continue to rest on defense without it being a complete liability.

[Rek]

They are not getting past Denver without a starting center. Yes, I would put LeBron on the perimeter guarding the weakest offensive threat on the court that’s playing 1-3. This is where the combo guard comes in that gives effort on D because Reaves would be the 6th man. Lebron (PG), Combo guard (SG), DFS (SF), AD (PF), and Turner (C). Bench: Reaves, Dalton, Vando, etc. The last time LeBron was the PG and AD was the PF and both were healthy the lakers won a championship. This isn’t rocket science, the lakers have the formula for winning a championship with LeBron and AD but for some reason they are running from what worked when both were healthy. Additionally, LeBron’s defensive efficiency and effort improves in the playoffs. Will jimmy butler help them? sure but you’re still cooked when it comes to Jokic or any traditional center they face in the playoffs. If this was 36 year old Lebron then you could probably get away with him being a rim protector but they need to build a roster that hides LeBron and AD’s current deficiencies.

How many centers in the NBA are better than AD? Can LAL get that player? How many perimeter defenders are worse than Lebron?

You don't gain anything by moving AD to PF, but you do lose something by moving Lebron to the wing. Him trying harder in the playoffs doesn't negate that.

It’s not about being better than AD at center, it’s about putting a roster around AD and Lebron that fits better without gutting their roster for one player or staying status quo. AD struggles against actual centers, go look up their games against teams who have actually centers. Zubac just put up 21pts and 19 rebs (8 offensive rebs), Jarret Allen 20pts and 17 rebs, Steven Adam 7 offensive rebounds in 17mins, etc. Myles Turner gives you the same shooting ability as Rui but he also fixes your interior defense problems and rebounding. This helps AD and Lebron. Also, this allows the lakers to play with more size at every position and creates more offensive mismatches. How many of these smaller PFs can guard AD? Because he has the ability to guard out on the perimeter.

Also, LeBron doesn’t have the same lift to be an interior defender or rim protector. Putting him on the perimeter guarding the weakest offensive perimeter player helps him and allows him to play passing lanes or just continue to rest on defense without it being a complete liability.

Moving Bron to the perimeter is more damaging than accepting his lack of lift in the block. The team's most glaring weakness is PoA defense and putting Bron out there with Reaves makes that problem even worse. The idea of Bron playing passing lanes that far away from the block at this stage is not a recipe for success.

I agree with your concerns about AD versus beefy centers which is exactly why I originally offered that their best outcome would be adding a center like Kessler or RW3 along with someone like Bruce Brown to help with PoA and wing defense. It's not a huge, flashy outcome like trading for Jimmy or LaVine. But those are the types of moves that would help to balance the roster.

Regardless, there is no magic set of trades available to the Lakers that boost them into being true title contenders. Their only chance at that would involve star players from opposing teams suffering injuries and opening an unlikely path for them to the finals.

[Pickled Prunes]

They are not getting past Denver without a starting center. Yes, I would put LeBron on the perimeter guarding the weakest offensive threat on the court that’s playing 1-3. This is where the combo guard comes in that gives effort on D because Reaves would be the 6th man. Lebron (PG), Combo guard (SG), DFS (SF), AD (PF), and Turner (C). Bench: Reaves, Dalton, Vando, etc. The last time LeBron was the PG and AD was the PF and both were healthy the lakers won a championship. This isn’t rocket science, the lakers have the formula for winning a championship with LeBron and AD but for some reason they are running from what worked when both were healthy. Additionally, LeBron’s defensive efficiency and effort improves in the playoffs. Will jimmy butler help them? sure but you’re still cooked when it comes to Jokic or any traditional center they face in the playoffs. If this was 36 year old Lebron then you could probably get away with him being a rim protector but they need to build a roster that hides LeBron and AD’s current deficiencies.

How many centers in the NBA are better than AD? Can LAL get that player? How many perimeter defenders are worse than Lebron?

You don't gain anything by moving AD to PF, but you do lose something by moving Lebron to the wing. Him trying harder in the playoffs doesn't negate that.

It’s not about being better than AD at center, it’s about putting a roster around AD and Lebron that fits better without gutting their roster for one player or staying status quo. AD struggles against actual centers, go look up their games against teams who have actually centers. Zubac just put up 21pts and 19 rebs (8 offensive rebs), Jarret Allen 20pts and 17 rebs, Steven Adam 7 offensive rebounds in 17mins, etc. Myles Turner gives you the same shooting ability as Rui but he also fixes your interior defense problems and rebounding. This helps AD and Lebron. Also, this allows the lakers to play with more size at every position and creates more offensive mismatches. How many of these smaller PFs can guard AD? Because he has the ability to guard out on the perimeter.

Also, LeBron doesn’t have the same lift to be an interior defender or rim protector. Putting him on the perimeter guarding the weakest offensive perimeter player helps him and allows him to play passing lanes or just continue to rest on defense without it being a complete liability.

If Lebron is resting on D he will be resting all summer.
Turner is averaging 7.0 TRB... 1.4 OFF.

The reason why AD gets cooked by those type of centers is because the Lakers are getting cooked on the perimeter and AD has to help. You are misreading the stats.

[Darthlukey]

There's no market out there for the Lakers to trade two firsts for. Perhaps Butler, but he's old.

I think CJ McCollum would be a good fit for the Lakers off the bench. Rui, Vincent, Hood-Schifino with three seconds should get the job done. Send back a filler to make it work (Antonio Reeves?)

G - Reaves | James Jr.
G - Christie | McCollum | Milton
F - James Sr. | Knecht | Redish
F - Finney-Smith | Vanderbilt
C - Davis | Wood | Hayes

It would be funny to see the league intervene a 2nd time on a trade between the lakers and the hornets/pels franchise for robbing them blind - 3 2nds for CJ? Pels get laughed out of the league (yes I'm aware the league didn't actually veto that trade, it was simply the league as owners declining the trade)

[Vegeta10176]

There's no market out there for the Lakers to trade two firsts for. Perhaps Butler, but he's old.

I think CJ McCollum would be a good fit for the Lakers off the bench. Rui, Vincent, Hood-Schifino with three seconds should get the job done. Send back a filler to make it work (Antonio Reeves?)

G - Reaves | James Jr.
G - Christie | McCollum | Milton
F - James Sr. | Knecht | Redish
F - Finney-Smith | Vanderbilt
C - Davis | Wood | Hayes

It would be funny to see the league intervene a 2nd time on a trade between the lakers and the hornets/pels franchise for robbing them blind - 3 2nds for CJ? Pels get laughed out of the league (yes I'm aware the league didn't actually veto that trade, it was simply the league as owners declining the trade)

Are you seriously including Bronny in any position on the legit rotation lol.. CJ can't defend you can't do this.. Although for seconds maybe.