Lakers Roster Needs

[LakersSoul]

Jovan Buha in his podcast mentions Lakers roster needs:

1. 3&D
2. Backup center
3. 3 point shooting

1. 3&D concern:

The last best group of our best 3&D player was 2020 with Kuz, DGreen, Caruso. We had a few but lopsided towards O or D including Vando, Max Christie, Rui and Gabe Vincent. Unfortunately, Vando and Gabe were injured most of the year while Ham decided not to use Max. We were left with Rui but he is more O and less D minded.

How do we solve this?: FA is lacking so draft plus the G league players.

Healthy Vando and Gabe will help and maturing and minutes to Max is a big help. We should look to add 1-2 more wing:

Would love to add Holmes at #17. 6’11” who is 38% from 3 and blocking over 2 shots per game. Mature senior leader so ready as much as possible.

2. Backup Center:

NBA is getting bigger with Jokic, Embiid, Porzingus, Minn centers. AD is great but need the center to mix match against teams and give us more rebounding.

Holmes could be a good backup or we can add EDEY at #17 to battle our arch nemesis Joker. But we do need to get bigger and better.

Regarding shooters and bigger bodies plus 3&D players, Rob and the team really need to improve our roster to battle against Denver, Minn, OKC, and Boston.

[danfantastk32]

THIS!!!!! Sounds like Colin Cowherd read my dream


Thunder: receive: Anthony Davis
Lakers receive: Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, 4 First-Round Picks


"This roster … is not built for JJ Redick," he said of the Lakers' newly minted head coach. "What is an organization with a ton of draft capital [and] a bunch of good young players? The Lakers have nobody in their prime except [Anthony Davis], and it's a late prime. The Lakers need shooters [and] wing defenders. … The Lakers have a huge hole.

"Think about Oklahoma City [and] skinny Chet Holmgren. They don't have enough girth to face a Nikola Jokić or a Karl-Anthony Towns. … They're not good enough on the glass. … They need a big. They have a ton of draft picks. They also have a surplus of good young players, and you're not winning championships with a bunch of good young players. … To build a roster and give JJ Redick a chance, Anthony Davis with Chet Holmgren, [Luguentz Dort] and [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] is immediately — along with Boston and Denver — a favorite to win the title. That is a great team."

"Meanwhile, what do the Lakers need?" Cowherd asked. "Jalen Williams averaged 19.0 [points] a game. His ceiling is probably closer to 25 to 26. He's 23 [years old and] he can defend. Cason Wallace, [a] tremendous young defender. Only 20 [years old]. High ceiling. … LeBron [James] will get him up and running quickly. Four first-round picks — try to get most of them … next draft. … The money doesn't work with this, you have to add a third team. … The Lakers might have to take a bad contract, probably with a big, but this roster is not JJ Redick's roster."


I am going to try and will this sh** into existence. Even if it were 2 first-round and 2 second-round picks...IN A HEARTBEAT

THATS what the Laker roster needs. I'm getting into 'pet unicorn' land here....but then trade Lebron to GS to play alongside Steph, and get 2 first-rounders, some decent younger guy, and take a bad contract back. Maybe they give Klay a good 2-year deal (2year, 80mil) and move him here. That makes salary work. We only pay Klay 2 years...he gets good $$. GS becomes very interesting with Lebron there. Just win-wins all around.

[LakersSoul]

Don’t think we are trading AD and OKC is not making any major changes to their roster. They are a top tier team so they will tweak here and there like the Caruso move.

[danfantastk32]

NBA is getting bigger with Jokic, Embiid, Porzingus, Minn centers. AD is great but need the center to mix match against teams and give us more rebounding. Holmes could be a good backup or we can add EDEY at #17 to battle our arch nemesis Joker. But we do need to get bigger and better.

I disagree with the conclusion. Porzingus ain't a "Big". He's a beanpole. But you know what? He shoots almost 40% from the 3. Jokic shot 38% the year they won. KAT shoots just under 40%. Embiid is around 35-36%. Teams need to spread the floor now. AD is like 27% last season. Made 29 3-pointers. That's less than a 3 every other game. That's not spreading the floor. The last thing you wanna do is get a guy like Edey.

Look....the Lakers were #2 in defensive rebounds. But we were #25 in offensive rebounds. Defenses can collapse the boards against us. We were #1 in freethrow attempts (sadly #14 in makes). We're #2 in fg%, but #20 in shots made. The Lakers were actually #7 in 3-point percentage....not bad. But we were #24 in attempts.

You put it all together, and you got a team that is old and slow, and who works the ball into the post, where we are actually fairly effective. We get the most freethrows, cause we actually attack. Maybe if we were better at freethrows, we'd be champs.

The Lakers make their shots, and get to the the line. We were quite affective at what we wanted to do. But it didn't get us anywhere! It's just not a recipe for success in today's NBA. They can use some better D. But defense isn't everything. Mav's were worse than us defensively this year. Denver was #15 last year when they won a title. So while you wanna be a good defensive team, its not the be-all.

This is why the Lakers need to break it up. The Celtics are a good defensive team. But they're also a top offensive team. They are top at 3's. They are top at rebounds. The had the fewest turnovers. In other words....they are a good team.

We're low at rebounds. Our defense sucks. Our 3-point shooting sucks. We have alot of turnovers. We're a Bad team. We run everything through Lebron and AD. It's slow, it's predictable, and defendable down the stretch. Lebron no longer has that take-over level on a nightly basis. And once a team hunkers down to defend him in the 4th, we're slow, one-dimensional, and easily beaten.


Doubling down on getting more bigs (especially guy's who can't shoot outside) is suicide.....and really misses the point as to why these centers are so effective right now.

[LakersSoul]

Agree and disagree.

We are a bad defensive team. We need guards that can be better at 3&D. Dlo’s D still suck. Gabe and others like wings cannot make the 3.

That said, we also need a good backup center to rest AD and match up better against teams like Denver. With Joker, AD was doing as well as can be but then he would pass to Gordon for an easy dunk. If we had a center like EDEY, he can guard Joker and use AD to play his defense against rest of rim attackers.

EDEY has also shown ability to hit the 3 and he is a good FT shooter.

If not EDEY, I don’t mind us adding Holmes either. Kind of like Naz Reid.

We need support and better 3&Ds everywhere. I favor in center help because I believe Vando and Max are our 3&D but Ham just didn’t use them properly and the injuries to Vando. I would love for Pelinka to add 1-2 more 3&D guys.

[LakersSoul]

Also agree on Bron. Hate the ball in his hands that slows down everything.

Believe that’s something JJ and coaching staff will figure out as he mentions Bron playing more off ball. One reason why I like JJ is his fresh and different views which should be revolutionary instead of the retread coaches.

I am hopeful JJ will add O geniuses like Luke Murray

[danfantastk32]

EDEY has also shown ability to hit the 3 and he is a good FT shooter.

Sorry, but no he hasn't. He took two whole 3-pointers his 4 years in college.

Go read scouting report after scouting report.....they're all the same: If this was 1995, this guy would be hands down the #1 pick. Maybe even 2005. But nowadays, he's just big, and slow, and will have issues defending in the NBA game. He doesn't spread the floor at all. Yeah....he's gonna stop Jokic from going nuts down low (in a couple years mind you....he's gonna get owned his first couple years) But Jokic (and all the other centers in TODAY'S game) are just gonna settle for 3's. They're all knocking em down at near 40%.

Sorry man......but you can't just fantasize this guy into something he's not. He shot two 3-pointers his entire 4-years of college.

There are some tantalizing things to his game. There really are. I think this guy will prob figure some things out, and be a decent player. If he could develop outside shooting, he could actually be top notch allstar material. But the fact that he never even took shots outside tells you he knows.....

All he had to do was show some of that, and he's adding zero's to his contract. He knows it, I know it, you know it, everyone knows it. So why no ATTEMPTS even?? Those are called flags. And thats a big one. Don't just ignore those.

If he wasn't so flawed, he'd be the #1 pick. Scout after scout has said as much. But how will he even fit in todays game? They all worry about that. Maybe he'll work as a situational/backup center. We're really using our first round pick on a back-up center??!!

If the Lakers moved AD, and then picked this guy up.....I like the move like 50X more. But to combine these two out there, would just be a sh++show times five. If the Lakers are truly looking to win with this Due (foolish, but whatever...let's go with it) then they don't need more help down low. Jokic is gonna do Jokic. Go get 2-way wings, and guys who can spread the floor. Guys who are ready to win now. Trae Young, Mitchell, a guy like Paul George....even Klay (assuming he doesn't get injured). Butler.

Clogging, and miring our game further will just make it worse. We won't even make the playoffs to worry about Jokic.

[TylersLakers]

AD isn’t going anywhere. Thats clear.

LeBron I’m about 90% sure will be here.

My roster thoughts (with LeBron and AD) are:

- Another 3 and D wing
- A pull-up jump shooting threat
- A big who can play next to AD
- A movement 3 point shooter

Who and what I’d sacrifice for those needs:

- Russell
- Rui
- JHS
- Max Lewis
- All the picks and swaps

My dream (with no more Caruso) is:

- D-Lo opts in - trade him with JHS and a heavily protected 2029 1st along with a second rounder for DeRozan. If it doesn’t convey, it turns into 2 second rounders. Salary starts at 23M, 3 year deal. Ends up being about $75M in total.

- Trade Rui and #17 for DFS
- Split the non-tax MLE between Buddy Hield and Andre Drummond
- Draft Bronny with 2nd rounder
- Re-sign Max Christie to a 3 year deal, player option on the 3rd year. Contract starts at $6M.
- Trade Reddish with a future 2nd round pick to the Pistons
- Trade Vincent with a 1st round pick swap to a team with cap space to create room
- Sign Chris Paul, vet minimum
- Sign Dario Saric, vet minimum

Team:

PG: Reaves/Paul/Bronny
SG: DeRozan/Hield/
SF: DFS/Christie/Lewis
PF: LeBron/Vando/Saric
C: Davis/Drummond/Wood

[LakersSoul]

EDEY has also shown ability to hit the 3 and he is a good FT shooter.

Sorry, but no he hasn't. He took two whole 3-pointers his 4 years in college.

Clogging, and miring our game further will just make it worse. We won't even make the playoffs to worry about Jokic.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=QvEzK5sPZB2bJ5j4baboWw

Similar form/release as Jokic and
One report showed him making 48/100 from 3.

[danfantastk32]

EDEY has also shown ability to hit the 3 and he is a good FT shooter.

Sorry, but no he hasn't. He took two whole 3-pointers his 4 years in college.

Clogging, and miring our game further will just make it worse. We won't even make the playoffs to worry about Jokic.

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=QvEzK5sPZB2bJ5j4baboWw

Similar form/release as Jokic and
One report showed him making 48/100 from 3.

My man....I shot about 70% under those conditions too. Your local Y is chocked-full of guys who stand around and drain 3's. Come on. That can't impress you! He shot more 3's in that 18 second video than he did over 4 years when it counted. Why would that be?

[danfantastk32]

And for the record....I'd take him. I'm not hating on the guy. I'd just move AD for picks, so we wouldn't be pulling this "twin towers" BS in 2025.

[tamaraw08]

AD isn’t going anywhere. Thats clear.

LeBron I’m about 90% sure will be here.

My roster thoughts (with LeBron and AD) are:

- Another 3 and D wing
- A pull-up jump shooting threat
- A big who can play next to AD
- A movement 3 point shooter

Who and what I’d sacrifice for those needs:

- Russell
- Rui
- JHS
- Max Lewis
- All the picks and swaps

My dream (with no more Caruso) is:

- D-Lo opts in - trade him with JHS and a heavily protected 2029 1st along with a second rounder for DeRozan. If it doesn’t convey, it turns into 2 second rounders. Salary starts at 23M, 3 year deal. Ends up being about $75M in total.

- Trade Rui and #17 for DFS
- Split the non-tax MLE between Buddy Hield and Andre Drummond
- Draft Bronny with 2nd rounder
- Re-sign Max Christie to a 3 year deal, player option on the 3rd year. Contract starts at $6M.
- Trade Reddish with a future 2nd round pick to the Pistons
- Trade Vincent with a 1st round pick swap to a team with cap space to create room
- Sign Chris Paul, vet minimum
- Sign Dario Saric, vet minimum

Team:

PG: Reaves/Paul/Bronny
SG: DeRozan/Hield/
SF: DFS/Christie/Lewis
PF: LeBron/Vando/Saric
C: Davis/Drummond/Wood

Yeah, I really like DFS and I think he might be the only realistic 3&D wing that the Lakers can get..heck maybe not because Marks have been over valuing his current players except for Kyrie.
If not, keep that #17 and hope they can find a 3yr college matured (low ceiling but high floor) guy like Josh Hart,Kuz and Jacquez from the draft.
Definitely resign Christie unless JJ is not good enough coach to unlock this guy.
I don't think Hield and Drummond can be had for half MLE.
I want to still see what a healthy Vincent can do to this team.
I am very intrigued at what a healthy CP3 can do even for 16 quality mins/game esp with their late game execution.

[LakersSoul]

Pass on DeRozan and Drummond.

Think Bronny could be sneaky good 3&D smart player, kind of like Caruso or Gabe Vincent with a better 3.

Lakers still have $7 million in their warchest before the year expires to buy some 2nd round picks here. Hope they can get 2 guys that meet JJ’s vision for smart 3&D guys.

[danfantastk32]

Think Bronny could be sneaky good 3&D smart player, kind of like Caruso or Gabe Vincent with a better 3.

I agree here. If we can get him at 55, I'd do it. It'll be a couple years before there's fruit in that tree....but I think he'll be a good player. Certainly worth a 55pick risk. My only issue with Bronnie, is "why" we're getting him. Our team's inability to think of anything outside the "kiss the superstar's arse" box, has me pretty fed up. But if it was just getting him because we wanted him....I think it'll pay off.

[Pointgod]

Rui, Vando, Gabe Vincent and JHS make up 40 million in tradable contracts, you can make that 60 million if Russell opts in. We can trade 3 picks at the time of the draft (including the 17th pick).

We need more 3 and D players, we need to get more athletic, but I think the biggest thing is we have to buy low on an allstar or borderline allstar without gutting our depth. We can’t do a trade like the Westbrook trade again. That was a massive disaster.

[LakersSoul]

Think Bronny could be sneaky good 3&D smart player, kind of like Caruso or Gabe Vincent with a better 3.

I agree here. If we can get him at 55, I'd do it. It'll be a couple years before there's fruit in that tree....but I think he'll be a good player. Certainly worth a 55pick risk. My only issue with Bronnie, is "why" we're getting him. Our team's inability to think of anything outside the "kiss the superstar's arse" box, has me pretty fed up. But if it was just getting him because we wanted him....I think it'll pay off.

Bucks add Gianni’s brother.

So adding a fringe 2nd rounder because it could help solve a problem and help one of our stars is a no-brainer.

[tamaraw08]

Rui, Vando, Gabe Vincent and JHS make up 40 million in tradable contracts, you can make that 60 million if Russell opts in. We can trade 3 picks at the time of the draft (including the 17th pick).

We need more 3 and D players, we need to get more athletic, but I think the biggest thing is we have to buy low on an allstar or borderline allstar without gutting our depth. We can’t do a trade like the Westbrook trade again. That was a massive disaster.

Lakers definitely need at least a couple of 3&D players but unfortunately they are getting to be a lot more expensive to sign or to trade for.
Marks is asking for the moon for Mikal Bridges.
Jarami Grant will make about 34 mil and he hasn't been a great defender lately.
Dallas had to trade their 2027 pick and fillers for PJ Washington.
The question is, would teams want the current Lakers tradeable "assets"?
JHS was a disappointment.
Rui can score but is a defensive liability.
Vando can't shoot and sat out a lot of games last season.
D'Lo has been a very inconsistent playoff performer.

[Anderson Hunt]

Roster Needs?
A. James needs to score less (around 16 a game) and rebound, pass, and empower others more.
B. Lakers need a go-to scorer/closer, a guy who can takeover as the leading scorer of the team at around 24 points a game (think Mitchell, Ball, Beal, LaVine, Young/Murray etc).
C. Christie needs to start.
D. Hachimura needs a larger offensive role (averaging over 17 a game). He only gets that role if James and Reddick empower him.

As far as new roster additions:
-- They need an All-Star closer/leading scorer. I prefer Ball or LaVine.
-- They need two bruising, defensive centers (both at the minimum), one to play backup center, the other to backup the backup. I prefer Biyombo and Howard.
-- They need an elite defensive wing to spell Reddish when he misses his usual 30 games (also at the minimum). I prefer David Nwaba.

out Russell - in Zach LaVine
out Reaves - in Bronny James
out Vincent - in Nwaba (or sim defender)
out Vanderbilt - in Biyombo (or sim defender)
out Hayes - in Dwight Howard (or sim defender)

PG - James ------- Dinwiddie - Schifino
SG - Christie ------ James ------ Lewis
C --- Davis ---------- Biyombo -- Howard
PF - Hachimura - Prince ------ Wood
SF - Reddish ------ LaVine ----- Nwaba

[Pointgod]

Rui, Vando, Gabe Vincent and JHS make up 40 million in tradable contracts, you can make that 60 million if Russell opts in. We can trade 3 picks at the time of the draft (including the 17th pick).

We need more 3 and D players, we need to get more athletic, but I think the biggest thing is we have to buy low on an allstar or borderline allstar without gutting our depth. We can’t do a trade like the Westbrook trade again. That was a massive disaster.

Lakers definitely need at least a couple of 3&D players but unfortunately they are getting to be a lot more expensive to sign or to trade for.
Marks is asking for the moon for Mikal Bridges.
Jarami Grant will make about 34 mil and he hasn't been a great defender lately.
Dallas had to trade their 2027 pick and fillers for PJ Washington.
The question is, would teams want the current Lakers tradeable "assets"?
JHS was a disappointment.
Rui can score but is a defensive liability.
Vando can't shoot and sat out a lot of games last season.
D'Lo has been a very inconsistent playoff performer.

Lakers will have to be creative in finding an undervalued assets.

That’s why a guy like Dejounte Murray is interesting. Him and Bogi would be a huge get but Hawks still want to compete
- Could we get Cam Thomas with DFS?
- Lavine might sense if it’s just a simple swap with no picks, but he’s super high risk and not sure if the reward is that high either
- We bring back Ingram or CJ Mccollum?

Its tough but the time to act is now.

[TimeisIllmatic]

I think all those needs are very valid and what the team needs.

Not banking on it, but I really hope Vando will improve his corner 3 after all that time he missed last season. His improved O will really open things up for this team's offense and force opposing defenses to at least respect his shot somewhat.

Even though we will likely have Hayes next year once he opts in, the Lakers still need more size in the front court. The options will come down to: Theis, Drummond, Len, Eubanks. Drummond is by far the best option.

In terms of the SF position, I do like the proposal of using Rui and 17 for a wing like DFS or Bruce Brown. I'd lean more towards DFS because of better shooting numbers from the 3.

If the Nets aren't willing to part with DFS for that offer, I'd like to see the Lakers get Cedi Osman or McDermott.

My ideal lineup for the Lakers:

PG - D'Lo / Vincent / JHS
SG - Christie / Reaves / Reddish
SF - Vando / Rui / McDermott / Lewis
PF - Bron / Wood
C - AD / Drummond / Hayes