The Los Angeles Lakers is a superstar, as Anthony Davis (Achilles) is likely to be out until after the All-Star break.
After Tuesday’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves – in which the supporting squad perfectly compensated for the absence of AD – the 22-7 Lakers have eight games until the break. They do not necessarily need reinforcements.
But the next schedule is no cakewalk. After a final showdown with the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, LakeShow will host a rematch of the finals with the Miami Heat on Saturday. Next, LA will face Washington Wizards (2/22), Utah Jazz (2/24), Portland Trail Blazers (2/26), Golden State Warriors (2/28) and Phoenix Suns (3/2), and Sacramento Kings (3/3).
The good news, in addition to inadvertently strengthening LeBron James’ MVP narrative: The Lakers won five out of six games without their big All-Star this season, which dealt with a litany of diseases.
Before Davis’ fall, the Lakers kept an extra spot open, presumably reserved for an additional takeover. However, the signings of Montrezl Harrell and Wesley Matthews limited the team to $ 138.9 million, meaning that they would need to dispense with locker room favorite Quinn Cook before February 24 (when their business is guaranteed) to hire one. purchase face. Otherwise, they can wait a few weeks and hire a player for a minimum of prorated veteran. Until then, Davis could be back.
The Lakers are in an even less desirable position to open a trade before the March 25 deadline. The only players in the squad that earn adequate salaries (James, Davis, Harrell, Dennis Schröder, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) are valuable rotation pieces and / or Klutch customers that will not be traded by anyone other than Bradley Beal. The (relatively) meager wages of the rest of the squad and the total lack of drawing capital make the deal for a player of extremely high quality.
At the very least, the Lakers are doing their due diligence. In a recent episode of the “Woj Pod”, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN speculated that LA is “eavesdropping” on the acquisition market.
If the Lakers decide to add a piece – whether for reasons of extra depth / safety, rim protection or 3-point shooting – here are some players whose GM representatives Rob Pelinka should contact.
Some caveats: JJ Redick would be included here, but he wants to be close to his home in Brooklyn. JaVale McGee can be purchased by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but is not eligible to return to the Lakers. Finally, LA would certainly be intrigued by Otto Porter Jr. or Garrett Temple, if the Chicago Bulls followed the path of purchase. As long as Chicago remains in the playoff contest, it will not. What about Blake Griffin? Difficult pass.
Wings
Trevor Ariza
First, Ariza would represent a nostalgic connection to the Kobe-era Lakers, who won a title in 2009 with Ariza starting as a small striker. (Ariza played in LA from 2007-09.)
Second, Ariza is on the Lakers’ radar, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported in December.
At 35, Ariza cannot wreak havoc across the court as he did before, but the veteran still has a valuable skill set that any team could use. He is a 3D poster boy and remains an expert on elite street corners. Like André Iguodala, he will always have sewage, decent athleticism and an understanding of the game that makes him a positive defender.
In 21 games for Portland last season, he had a respectable average of 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, reaching 40 percent of his 3s. He did not play this season for OKC (personal reasons) and is expected to receive $ 12.5 million.
He has played 102 playoff games over his 16-year career, a quality these Lakers are looking for.
“Sam Presti traditionally does not make contract purchases,” noted Woj in his recent podcast. “He usually manages to negotiate for the guys, so maybe Ariza can negotiate somewhere and then be bought if the Lakers can’t negotiate with him, but that; another player that I think will be highly sought after among contenders. He is someone who appeared in great moments, a very experienced and versatile striker. “
Charania also noted the Lakers’ interest in another OKC veteran …
George Hill
Hill would be one of those signings that would irritate the rest of the league, much to the delight of Lakers Nation.
Another respected and solid veterinarian, Hill led the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage in 2019-20, and is shooting nearly 39 percent in 14 OKC appearances this season. The Lakers regressed painfully to the average after starting the season on fire from beyond the arc. At this point, it is not clear whether the Lakers are a firing squad of 3 points above, below or exactly on average.
Furthermore, while Schröder, Alex Caruso, Talen Horton-Tucker and, of course, James, offer varying degrees of perimeter skills, the Lakers would benefit from a more reliable type of shipowner.
Wayne Ellington
Ellington is not as good as Hill – he is not a combo guard – but he can look more attractive with each Lakers’ cold shot presentation.
The 33-year-old shooter is having the best season of his career downtown, hitting 44.4 percent of his 3s in 20 games for the Detroit Pistons.
The Lakers witnessed his first-hand accuracy on January 28, when he lost 20 points and hit six triples in Detroit’s easy win.
Big ones
Robin Lopez
The Washington Wizards has 8-17 this season, but is still in contention for the play-in tournament in the East.
Lopez has played in all 25 games (nine starts) and is making the most of his opportunities. He averages 14.9 points and 7.9 rebounds every 36 minutes, while pitching the best of his career, 58.8%.
Whether Wiz comes out of contention, swaps Bradley Beal or neither, the franchise may still prefer to create minutes for Moritz Wagner and give Alex Len more chances to resurrect his career.
On the other hand, Thomas Bryant was recently lost for the season, so the team may feel they cannot lose Lopez. In addition, they cannot fully tank while Westbrook and Beal are in lineup, so they can also say in the playoff hunt as long as possible.
If Lopez became available, however, the Lakers have an appropriate fit. The 32-year-old Hollywood native has played for seven teams in his 13-year career, but unlike his brother Brook, he has never adapted to one of his hometown teams. In the dressing room, Sideshow Rob is an eccentric but pleasant personality. On the court, he is an experienced hoop protector and boxing conductor with a sense of positional awareness, basketball IQ and devotion to the little things that align with the way Frank Vogel characterizes his team’s identity.
Ed Davis
That name isn’t exactly going to burn anyone – without offending Davis, a popular guy in league circles – and he’s not exactly a needle mover.
Davis currently has no real role in Minnesota, earning 13.9 minutes per game in 19 matches. The 31-year-old offers solid insurance and can redirect some photos up close while the AD is away, but that is the ceiling of his impact. This does not mean that it would be an unworthy hiring, but, ultimately, insignificant in the search for the title. Note this name, however.
Financial restrictions aside, Pelinka wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t do market research – especially considering the Lakers’ appeal to veterans.
That said, the Lakers’ best course of action may be to weather the storm until Davis returns and then look for cheaper options on the wire. After all, at full strength, it is difficult to argue that your squad, as currently built, lacks the talent, depth, versatility and star power needed to repeat themselves as champions.
