NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players the Los Angeles Lakers Need to Win Another Title
The Los Angeles Lakers have looked less than indestructible of late. They've put up some weak performances against lesser competition the last couple of weeks in losses to Sacramento and the Los Angeles Clippers and an overtime win over Houston.
Former Laker great Jerry West has raised questions about the team's defense and worry about its age. Now, team vice president Magic Johnson is suggesting the team look for solutions in a trade. It's just not clicking in full gear for the Lake Show right now.
Here are 10 players that could help the Lakers if L.A. were to make the trade.
10. Samuel Dalembert
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Samuel Dalembert isn't going to score 20 points per game and he isn't going to lock down Dwight Howard for 48 minutes.
But he can plug into a championship team for 15-20 minutes per game and provide reliable defense and, above all else, a big body.
Dalembert is averaging 1.7 blocks per game with the Sacramento Kings in just 20.6 minutes per game. He's 29 years-old with plenty left in his legs and would give the Lakers good length on defense.
9. Anthony Morrow
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The Lakers traded away "The Machine", Sasha Vjuacic, and his silky smooth jumper in December. With Ron Artest and Derek Fisher not shooting the ball up to their normal standards, Los Angeles could use a three-point specialist.
Anthony Morrow fits the bill, I guess. He is leading the NBA in three-point shooting percentage, after all, at 43.4 percent. He's only 25 years-old and would likely boost his play with the opportunity to play for a contender.
New Jersey is just not a happening basketball destination right now.
8. Anthony Parker
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Anthony Parker should not be a starter at this point in his NBA career. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sure, Parker is on the downhill to 36-years-old. But he's a long 6'6" guard that can shoot the three and play reliable defense. He's not flashy, but he's healthy. Matt Barnes is not.
Barnes is expected to be out 3-5 weeks. That's a long time to just tread water without him. Los Angeles wouldn't have to give up much for Parker but could get a lot out of him this season.
7. Serj Ibaka
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Ibaka would be higher but there is no way Oklahoma City would give him up, is there? Maybe straight up for Pau Gasol, but other than that, there is no way.
That's not to say that Ibaka is on the same level as Gasol—few are. But Ibaka is 22 years-old and quickly becoming one of the most exciting players the NBA has to offer.
He's only playing 25.5 minutes per game for the Thunder and still scoring 9.6 points, grabbing 6.7 rebounds and blocking two shots per game. He's young, big and athletic. There may not be a better fit for the Lakers' needs.
6. Jason Richardson
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Jason Richardson is pretty much the definition of a streak shooter. If he gets hot, he can drop 30 on a team in the blink of an eye.
He's shooting 39.5 percent from three-point land this season and is still in search of a ring.
Richardson was reportedly still on the trading block even after landing in Orlando from Phoenix. If Ron Artest is wanting out despite what he's saying, maybe an even swap could benefit both teams.
They both bring something different to the table.
5. Courtney Lee
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Courtney Lee is reportedly on the market. Although he's not going to fix all of Los Angeles' problems, he would surely inject some youth into the Laker lineup.
Point guards Derek Fisher and Steve Blake are two of 10 Lakers that are 30-years or older. Lee is 25.
He proved with the Magic that he is a valuable role player on a contending team. He can play strong defense and provide very productive spurts of play, which is all the Lakers need.
4. Gerald Wallace
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Gerald Wallace does a little bit of everything: he scores, rebounds, distributes and plays defense. He's a poor man's LeBron James. A really poor man, but Wallace is in the same mold nonetheless.
He would make the Lakers contributing rotation younger in the right deal. Wallace is a starter at the three spot on most teams but could be an outstanding bench player for the three or the four.
If Artest gets shipped out there may not be a better player to replace him in the starting lineup. That would keep Barnes coming off the bench which is really the best scenario for this team.
3. Devin Harris
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Devin Harris would Los Angeles two things for its back court that it is in desperate need of: speed and youth. Mostly speed since Harris will be turning 28 later this month.
But Derek Fisher is 36 and Steve Blake is 30 and Shannon Brown isn't a true point guard. He's athletic as can be imagined, but he can't run an offense.
Harris has done just that on an all-star level. Bring him off the bench. Use him for energy. Give up Brown and Luke Walton for him, or something. "Make this happen!" clamor Lakers fans.
2. Andrei Kirilenko
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Andrei Kirilenko is well beyond his five-by-five stat days and Los Angeles would have to put up with that hair. That awful, awful hair. It gives nightmares to Jazz fans all along the Salt Lake Valley.
But Kirilenko can play. He's long, athletic and quietly shooting a career 37.5 percent from three-point range. Jazz fans are calling for a shake-up.
Oh, and there's that other little thing: his expiring contract. That's right, Los Angeles could unload future commitments to unpromising players to obtain a proven player with a one year trial period.
Magic Johnson is calling Jazz executive Frank Layden as we speak.
1. O.J. Mayo
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O.J. Mayo's on the cusp, isn't he, of breaking out? What he needs to become a star in the NBA isn't quite clear. Maybe a move to the West Coast.
Mayo is a young player with a Royal Caribbean cruise ship full of talent. But he has a safety raft worth of tutelage. Give him two weeks with Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant and Mayo could be a super sub.
The only problem is that Memphis is well aware of his potential. They're asking for a ton in return. If the Lakers are willing to part ways with enough, they could end up with the future of their organization.
