For most teams, making it to the 2nd round of the playoffs is a success. But most teams aren't the Lakers. And the Lakers didn't just lose, they got thoroughly embarrassed. They were backed against a wall and folded. Call it lack of motivation, focus, or will power, but the Lakers seemed uninterested.
The easy fix for the Lakers is to send away Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu. But while that works financially, it doesn't work for the Lakers weaknesses. What the Lakers lack is a young, athletic PG, a knock down 3-point shooter (something they haven't had in a while, not counting Vujacic).
So here's a couple different trade scenarios to get them some help
Trade 1
Lakers get - Michael Beasley, Jonny Flynn, #2 overall pick
Timberwolves get - Lamar Odom, #41, #46, #56, and #58 pick
The only way this one happens, in my opinion, is if Enes Kanter is taken #1 overall. That leaves Minnesota with the option of taking Kyrie Irving (PG) or Derrick Williams (SF), both of which they have lots of. I think they'll be looking to get rid of the pick and that leaves LA there waiting.
If this happened, LA would most likely take Irving to address the PG issue more permanently. They'd also trade away Steve Blake somewhere and bring Fisher in during only important moments.
Trade 2
Lakers get - Raymond Felton, #52 pick
Denver get - Luke Walton, Devin Ebanks, #41 pick, #56 pick
Denver has Lawson and Felton at the PG spot and Felton wasn't too happy with the idea of coming off the bench at the end of the season. In LA, he'd start and more appropriately address the PG situation. The Lakers were exposed by Westbrook, Barrea, and Kidd at the PG spot. Felton does a lot to upgrade the spot
Trade 3
Lakers get - Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick
Magic get - Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Devin Ebanks
If the Lakers are going to get Dwight, the Magic are going to want to dump an extra bad contract of theirs: Arenas, Hedo, or Nelson namely. I don't see the Lakers wanting Arenas' huge contract, but they will want Nelson. Also, Redick can be a throw-in that gives them the 3-point shooting weapon.
The Magic get younger and possibly better. Bynum and Gasol give them an immediate advantage down low against almost all teams. They also have a young combo guard who has shown promise.
Free Agent Targets
(in no order)
Delonte West - When he wasn't injured, he was a solid contributor to the Celtics. He's played with Mike Brown before and can knock down the 3, something the Lakers lacked. He doesn't do much for the PG position defensively, though
TJ Ford - I could really see the Lakers getting Ford. He's a solid PG, could even step in as starter, and is someone the Lakers have reportedly coveted for a long time.
Michael Redd - A bit of a longshot, but Redd could come in LA, not have any pressure, and be the knock down shooter they need. The huge question mark is, however, the injuries. He hasn't played significant minutes in a long time. Coming off the bench might help, but the Lakers usually don't take risks like Redd
James Jones - He's price will probably be too high after his year with the Heat, but again, he's another knockdown shooter. We saw what he could do in Miami, but I'm not sure he'd succeed as much in LA with fewer double teams everywhere
NBA Draft Targets
41st pick - Norris Cole, PG, Cleveland State - Who? Well Norris Cole is a scorer and a solid all-around PG. He could come into LA and immediately crack the rotation.
46th pick - E'Twaun Moore, SG, Purdue - Not really a need, but the Lakers could use someone like Moore. He can get to the basket and score, which is someone that don't have. If Shannon Brown doesn't come back or is traded, both of which could happen, then the Lakers would need a backup 2-guard
56th pick - Scotty Hopson, G/F, Tennessee - Another wingman? Well the Lakers biggest strength is their size and they lots of it. And with Caracter being taken last year, I can't see them taking many big men this year.
58th pick - Matt Howard, PF, Butler - You can call it a homer pick but he's a smart player and can contribute to a team. If the Lakers do send away any of Gasol, Bynum, or Odom, they'll be looking to fill some of those spots. Howard can do so. He doesn't have great size or speed, but he can knock down the jumper and is an exceptionally smart player.
Adaora
Ariel Meredith
Celebrities at the NHL Playoffs
LEGO in Sports
Comments (22) Add A Comment
Johnny Flynn!
Nice read.
Ogre: Batman
Watertown, NY
Total Comments (22704)
I don't know if you're aware, but David Kahn runs your franchise, and he is far, far from a genius
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27533)
Felton nearly asked out once traded there last season and I can't see him wanting to see. Both Walton and Barnes come off the books next year and they'll free up cap space for Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, etc
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27533)
The only trade I could see happening is the Magic deal. The rest don't stand a chance.
Argos.
Total Comments (5415)
Odom and 41st for Calderon.
OR
Barnes, a 1st, and 58th for Calderon.
OR
Artest, a 1st, 41st, and 58th for Calderon.
Argos.
Total Comments (5415)
Ricky Rubio.
Assassin: Simile…
Total Comments (32942)
Nice. I think Ford would be a decent pickup but FN would disagree.
DJRoxalot
Total Comments (108505)
None those are good trades
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27533)
Trade 3 is absolutly terrible for the Lakers.
Trade 1 is bad but not as bad as trade 3
Trade 2 isn't bad but as a Laker fan I'd much rather have Lawson.
Either way with trade 2 I believe they need a young PG to take over in Fishers spot.
I would trade Artest and derek fisher for a young point guard. Like Lawson or Stephan Curry
tdbubba15
Total Comments (1149)
I think you're really onto something with Norris Cole. I watched him a lot this year since he played in the Horizon League, and in my opinion he is the most underrated player in the draft. He'll be solid wherever he goes.
mbills2223
Connersville , IN
Total Comments (1)
This is ridiculous.
Confucius. Trout
Bat Country, CA
Total Comments (9794)
Calderon is just what the doctor ordered up for the Lakers.
With no more triangle, they might want an actual PG.
Great friends with Gasol, and can get him going.
Calderon is one of, if not the best, at distributing the ball with little turnovers. He has great vision and passing skills.
Calderon can shoot the ball with the best of them when he is on.
Argos.
Total Comments (5415)
You're focusing one one end of the court.
Confucius. Trout
Bat Country, CA
Total Comments (9794)
Highly doubt this trade would go down like this..
Lakers get - Raymond Felton, #52 pick
Denver get - Luke Walton, Devin Ebanks, #41 pick, #56 pick
XXPCHXX-HOME ALONE
Total Comments (6907)
Who the **** would want Luke Walton? lmao
XXPCHXX-HOME ALONE
Total Comments (6907)
I thought he was an expiring contract. God the Lakers have awful contracts
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27533)
His defense is average, but he has never been on a team that emphasizes defense, and has never been stressed to play D. All the Raptors teams he played on played zero D, and have had no coaching on D. I think Mike Brown can turn him into a solid defender.
Argos.
Total Comments (5415)
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