Ranking Lakers' Top Trade Priorities Entering 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers will head into 2024 with two-plus months of data about the type of team they have.
If they've learned anything about this club, it's that it might not be good enough—or at least hasn't been good enough—to compete for an NBA title.
"I don't think we're where we want to be to compete against the top teams," LeBron James told reporters following their 11-point loss to the Boston Celtics on Christmas.
If the Lakers can't reach that level internally, they'll need to look for a boost on the trade market. Let's dig into their top priorities for this trade season.
1. Improve the Spacing
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This is James' sixth season in Hollywood and fifth alongside Anthony Davis. Does the front office ever plan on putting some perimeter threats around these two?
Apparently not. The Lakers were a dreadful shooting team last season, and they might be even worse this time around.
If you want to know how an offense featuring James and Davis ranks 24th in efficiency, per NBA.com, look no further than the club's shooting shortage. L.A. sits 27th in three-point makes (10.9 per game) and 22nd in three-point percentage (35.6). On wide open triples (i.e., no defender within six feet), the Lakers have the second-worst splash rate (35.4 percent).
This issue has lasted far too long. It's beyond time to buy this attack more breathing room.
2. Upgrade at Point Guard
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If the Lakers only change one position this trade season, the smart money is on the point guard spot.
D'Angelo Russell is fine in an innings-eater type of regular-season role, but his limitations get glaring in a hurry come playoff time. The Lakers just saw this play out last postseason, when they were 5.0 points worse per 100 possessions with him than without and eventually demoted him to the reserve unit.
Gabe Vincent, their most significant external addition this offseason, played four mostly miserable games in October, sat out nearly two months, looked brutal in his first (and only) game back and is now looking at a six-to-eight week absence after knee surgery. L.A.'s confidence in him at this point can't be more than a few crossed fingers.
The Lakers need to upgrade this position, ideally with a player who can consistently break down defenders off the dribble and get into the paint. This backcourt is, at times, noticeably lacking speed and athleticism.
3. Add a Defensive-Minded Backup Big
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Because Davis is such a force on both ends, there's bound to be some drop-off whenever he needs a breather.
With this roster, though, that decline is more like a cliff-dive.
Christian Wood is an offensive specialist who's netting just 13 points per 36 minutes, per Basketball-Reference, and posting a wholly disappointing 46.3/27.9/61.8. Jaxson Hayes looks like a rim-runner, but he's been less than a non-factor on the glass (6.4 rebounds per 36 minutes) and apparently can't defend without constantly fouling (6.3 fouls per 36 minutes).
The Lakers need some legitimate interior protection behind Davis. It's been a mess behind him so far, and who knows how awful things could get should he ever make one of his annual trips to the injury report.
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