Why the Lakers Should Trade for Tayshaun Prince?
The Lakers have won four straight games and six of their last seven, but those Ws can be deceiving. Of those six wins, only three were against opponents with a record better than .500 (and two of those wins were against a struggling Hornets squad). A win is a win, and the Lakers should continue winning games for the moment as their next four opponents have records below .500.
After their temporary vacation (face the Nets, Cavs, Warriors and Clippers) the schedule becomes much more difficult as four of their next five games are against opponents with records above .500 (includes Boston and Dallas).
As many Lakers fans will tell you, the most difficult thing to accept is the fact that the Lakers have been playing at home for a majority of their games. I can understand if the Lakers were playing bad on the road, but it is inexcusable for them to lose so many games at home and a couple of those losses were blowouts.
Many have pinned the blame on boredom and that could be correct, but the problems lie much deeper than that. Firstly, the Western Conference has gotten considerably much tougher since last season. Instead of the Lakers and everyone else; it has now become a three-way race. The Mavericks and Spurs are legit contenders this season. They don't have a better starting five or six (with Odom), but they are much deeper than the Lakers this season.
The Lakers were supposed to be the deeper team coming into the season with the acquisitions of Matt Barnes and Steve Blake, but both have struggled of late. They were clicking in the beginning of the season, as was the Lakers, but because of their struggles, the bench play has been inconsistent.
Ron Artest has been horrible on both ends of the floor and so has Derek Fisher (both starters). Gasol has looked tired and hasn't looked like the all-world player we saw in the beginning of the season. The team defense has been atrocious at times and you pair that with a little boredom, you have a struggling team.
The Lakers will start to gel on both ends of the floor eventually, it's just that it will take longer than usual. What the Lakers need right now is a boost and trading for a player who is as hungry as ever to win a title, might just do the trick. With Matt Barnes expected to miss eight weeks, the Lakers will be short on wing players. They recalled Devin Ebanks from the D-League but Phil probably won't play him unless another wing player comes down with an injury.
Here are the reasons why the Lakers should acquire Tayshaun Prince.
Rejuvenating Their Hunger
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The Lakers have been accused of everything from being bored to being overconfident, but an important question to ask is has their hunger for another title diminished?
This same question worried Lakers fans after they won their first title but the addition of a ring-less Ron Artest really helped the Lakers focus in their quest for a repeat.
Adding Tayshaun Prince could have the same effect. His Detroit Pistons use to be a consistent playoff team, but the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2008. Prince has championship experience (two finals appearances, one championship), but hasn't really been in any meaningful games since 2008.
If he was traded to the Lakers, I'm sure he'll remind his teammates that it could be worse and his experience playing for a rebuilding Pistons team is more than enough proof.
Injuries
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Matt Barnes will need surgery after he tore cartilage in his knee and will miss approximately eight weeks of action. Barnes has not been shooting the ball well as of late but he provided the hustle and rebounding every game for the Lakers.
Phil said it best when he mentioned how the Lakers don't have to run any plays for Barnes. He's aggressive and pesky on the defensive end, but we'll have to due without him for an extended amount of time.
Acquiring a player like Tayshaun Prince will help the Lakers through their rough patch on their schedule. Also, if Matt Barnes comes back a little passive (as expected with a injury to the knee) or if his recovery is delayed, having a talent like Prince (who can play some two-guard or the four in a smaller lineup) as insurance will help Laker fans breathe easier, especially if Ron Artest falls down the stairs again.
Defense
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Tayshaun Prince is a great man to man defender. I'm sure Kobe has recognized him as a good defender and would love for him to be on the team. On defense, the Lakers rely a lot on their length and so does Prince (as he has a crazy wingspan).
Both Kobe and Artest have struggled on the defensive end (the Lakers team defense as well) and now Matt Barnes (another good wing defender) will be missing for eight weeks.
The Lakers have a tough schedule ahead, and having a premier defender in Prince will definitely aid them in the coming weeks, as well as the playoffs.
Versatility and Veteran Savvy
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Tayshaun Prince has a great skill set on offense. He is an effective post option with his length, has a decent mid-range game, can take it to the basket, shoot the three-ball and pass. He shoots the three-ball at a high clip (.441) and would definitely get better looks with Kobe and Pau as his teammates.
He is very intelligent and naturally fits the triangle, which will excite Phil as he wouldn't have to dumb down the playbook when Prince is on the floor.
Also, since Prince is a veteran who has finals experience (including a championship) he should fit in well with this veteran Laker team. He isn't volatile or a cancer in the looker room. Prince is actually the opposite (very mild mannered and quiet) and will fit well with a Lakers squad who could use an infusion humility.
