Los Angeles Lakers: 15 Crazy Blockbuster Trades That Might Help Save the Team
Unless you have been living on another planet for the last month, you know that the Lakers were embarrassed by the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Lakers looked very old and tired on the basketball court. There was barely any production from the point guard position on both ends of the court throughout the entire season, and the Lakers lacked a bona fide scorer from the perimeter to help out Kobe Bryant throughout the entire year.
With that being said, the Lakers may need some help from other teams to help fix these problems. Here are 15 crazy, blockbuster trade ideas that could help save the Lakers and keep them in contention for more championships over the next few years.
There are some players on this list who will become free agents after this year, so, for the sake of the article, we will pretend that these players are being traded via the sign-and-trade. Also, I have made sure that the salaries of the players both teams are exchanging are close to one another.
Enjoy!
Bynum, Brown, Barnes and Ebanks for Iguodala, WIlliams and Speights
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Why the Lakers would do it:
The Lakers would get everything they need to contend for a championship next season. Although they would be losing a lot of youth in this trade, they would be gaining youth as well. Iguodala would fill the Lakers' need for a perimeter scorer alongside Kobe Bryant. In addition, he would help the Lakers become a lot more of an athletic team.
Williams, another athletic freak, would help out the Lakers at the point guard position, which needs a whole lot of help.
Finally, the backup center spot would be filled by Speights, a young, athletic player who could block shots and rebound the ball for any team.
Why the 76ers would do it:
The 76ers would receive a very young, starting center (Andrew Bynum) who is ready to help them win now and in the future, a combo guard (Shannon Brown) who would be ready for a breakout season after backing up Bryant for the last three seasons, a defensive-minded, veteran forward (Matt Barnes) who would help improve their defense and serve as a mentor to the younger kids and a very young, small forward (Devin Ebanks) who possesses a ton of athleticism and potential.
Bynum, Blake and Ebanks for Ridnour, Webster, Milicic and Pekovic
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Why the Lakers would do it:
The Lakers would acquire a good shooting and scoring point guard in Luke Ridnour, which is something they have lacked from that position over the last few years.
Webster's three-point shooting would be gladly welcomed off the bench to back up Ron Artest, as he would likely become a great spark plug alongside Shannon Brown. In addition, he is still young and not done developing his game.
Milicic really stepped up his game last year, providing some decent scoring for the Timberwolves, along with a good amount of rebounds and a very good amount of blocks.
Finally, Pekovic would add even more depth to the Lakers bench, providing a decent amount of rebounds and even a little bit of scoring.
Why the Timberwolves would do it:
Andrew Bynum would help form a really good, young frontcourt for the Timberwolves. He and Kevin Love would easily lead the league in rebounds together. Their scoring would be high as well, as both men are capable of scoring in a variety of ways.
Blake would be a solid replacement for Ridnour, as he is a good ballhandler and a decent defender. Finally, the Timberwolves would acquire a good project is Ebanks.
Hopefully. Minnesota would be a good place for him to best develop his game.
Bynum, Brown and Caracter for Prince, Bynum, Monroe and Wallace
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Why the Lakers would do it:
This trade would help the Lakers add some depth, while also helping them acquire a solid point guard and a scoring wing man. Prince would provide the Lakers with a good all-around player who could score and defend the ball really well. With Artest coming off the bench, the Lakers defense would not skip a beat at the small forward position.
Bynum is not a great point guard, but he would be an upgrade over Derek Fisher and Steve Blake. He's pretty strong and aggressive, which the Lakers could use from their point guard.
Monroe is a very young, smart and talented big man who would receive an opportunity to develop his skills off the bench behind Lamar Odom.
Finally, Wallace may be getting old, but he still rebounds and defends the ball really well and would be a perfect back-up to Pau Gasol.
Why the Pistons would do it:
The Pistons would be acquiring their big man of the future in Bynum. He would be asked to carry a heavy load for the Pistons, as they are paper thin in the frontcourt. That would be exactly how he wants it, as he is hoping to be a franchise player and go-to scorer in the near future.
In Brown, the Pistons would acquire a young, combo guard who would be ready to compete for minutes with the rest of their guards. At least he wouldn't have to compete with Kobe Bryant for those minutes.
Caracter would give them a very young and raw power forward who is ready to develop anywhere he is given a chance to do so.
Gasol and Blake for Bosh, Chalmers and Jones
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Why the Lakers would do it:
In Bosh, the Lakers would get a young power forward to pair with Andrew Bynum in the future. He would get more touches on the Lakers than he does for the Heat, as he would only have to play behind one superstar and not two.
In Chalmers, the Lakers would get a young point guard with a lot of question marks but also with good speed, quick hands and decent defense.
Jones would provide the Lakers with a solid three point threat and a decent all-around game.
Why the Heat would do it:
In Gasol, the Heat would get a perfect third option behind Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Gasol is very capable of playing the center position, which is a position that the Heat lack any talent in. Gasol could rebound the ball very well, passes the ball with great skill for a big man and scores in a variety of ways. He also has a lot of playoff experience, which would really help the Heat out.
In Blake, the Heat would receive a solid point guard to back up Mike Bibby. He may not be as athletic or talented as Chalmers, but he doesn't make as many mistakes as Chalmers, which is something the Heat need out of the point guard position.
Bynum, Brown and Artest for Williams, Kaman and Gomes
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Why the Lakers would do it:
With the acquisition of Williams, the Lakers would receive a scoring point guard with great ballhandling skills, which would really help bolster the Lakers offense that seemed to be lacking production from the point guard position in the playoffs.
In Kaman, the Lakers would get even more offensive help. In addition, they would replace the rebounding lost from trading Bynum, and they would be gaining a decent defender as well.
Gomes would be a good fit as a role player for the Lakers, as his solid all-around game would possibly land him a starting spot at small forward or at least an opportunity to land that spot.
Why the Clippers would do it:
Bynum would help the Clippers form one of the best frontcourts in the league alongside Blake Griffin. His defense and presence in the paint would really help compliment Griffin's and Eric Gordon's good offensive games.
Brown would be someone that the Clippers could attempt to use as a point guard if Baron Davis doesn't play well. If not, he could play behind Gordon and Davis off the bench. He would definitely get more playing time than he is now playing behind Kobe Bryant.
Finally, Artest would be a good veteran presence in the locker room, as he seems to have changed a lot as a person, and he would provide the Clippers with amazing intensity and awesome defense.
Bynum and Blake for Parker and McDyess
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Why the Lakers would do it:
In Parker, the Lakers finally get the point guard that they desperately need. He would definitely help them in guarding opposing point guards, along with adding an additional scorer that the Lakers seemed to lack in the playoffs.
In McDyess, the Lakers add a veteran presence in the post to back up Pau Gasol, due to the departure of Bynum.
Why the Spurs would do it:
By getting Bynum, the Spurs would be able to start rebuilding for the future but would still be able to compete next year for a championship. Also, who knows what Bynum is capable of with more touches. In addition, this would allow George Hill to take over at the point guard position fulltime.
Blake's veteran presence would definitely help the likes of Hill and Gary Neal. Who knows, maybe a change of scenery would help bring back his game from two years ago!
Bynum, Odom, Brown, Ebanks and Caracter for Lee, Biedrins and Curry
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Why the Lakers would do it:
Curry would be the perfect point guard for the Lakers right now and for the future. He is a very smart player, has great vision of the court and can shoot the ball from just about anywhere.
Lee's terrific offensive game would be a nice fit to the Lakers' solid offensive play.
Biedrins would add some nice energy, athleticism, rebounding and shot blocking to an aging Lakers team.
Why the Warriors would do it:
The Warriors would be acquiring a very solid defensive player in Bynum to compliment their fast paced offensive game.
Odom would help in that same aspect as well, in addtion to adding more scoring, solid passing and above average ballhandling to their team.
Brown would be able to replace Curry as the point guard of this team, as his athleticism and amazing leaping ability would fit right into the Warriors' fast paced offense.
Finally, Ebanks and Caracter would be young acquisitions to an already young team. The Warriors could give them a better opportunity to develop their talents than the Lakers could.
Gasol and Blake for Smith and Hinrich
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Why the Lakers would do it:
With the addition of Smith, the Lakers would be pairing Bynum with a very athletic power forward to brighten up the future for this team, while also keeping themselves in a position to win now, as Smith puts up really good numbers, plays defense really well and has playoff experience.
Hinrich would give the Lakers a big boost at the point guard position, as his solid defense, decent point guard skills and veteran leadership would provide the Lakers with the point guard output they have been lacking over the past few seasons.
Why the Hawks would do it:
With the acquisition of Gasol, the Hawks would be adding one of the best power forwards and superstars in the game. His skills set is unmatched by just about anyone and the leadership he would provide this team with would be the missing link, in my opinion, the Hawks have been lacking over the past few years when competing with the top teams in the Eastern Conference for a spot in the NBA Finals.
Blake would provide the Hawks with a solid point guard coming off the bench. He would be a mentor to Jeff Teague, who would most likely take over the starting role at the point guard position.
Bynum, Odom, Artest and Brown for Paul, Okafor and Gray
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Why the Lakers would do it:
The Lakers would be receiving one of the best point guards in the game today in Paul, who would be a gigantic upgrade over Derek Fisher and Steve Blake. His ability to score, amazing passing skills and outstanding defensive output would help the Lakers tremendously, as he would get his top players involved on a consistent basis and when needed, he would be able to score the ball himself.
By acquiring Okafor, the Lakers would be receiving a huge contract, but also a great replacement for Bynum. His defense and rebounding would be gladly welcomed by the Lakers.
Finally, Gray would probably compete with a few people to be the first center off the bench for the Lakers, but if he won the position, his energy and rebounding would not disappoint the Lakers' coaching staff.
Why the Hornets would do it:
The Hornets would be receiving their center of the future in Bynum. He would be paired with other young players, like Trevor Ariza and Marco Belinelli, to form a very solid, young squad.
Odom would keep the Hornets in playoff contention for the present, coming off the bench again and providing a little bit of everything for this basketball club.
Artest would help Odom in keeping the Hornets in contention for the present, providing more than solid defense while competing with Ariza for playing time.
Finally, Brown and his freakish athleticism would be a perfect addition to a team that would be rebuilding sooner rather than later. An opportunity to start for a team would make Brown a happy man.
Bynum, Barnes and Brown for Felton, Chandler, Harrington and Mozgov
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Why the Lakers would do it:
The Lakers would be receiving a point guard they desperately desire in Felton. His speed and playmaking would definitely satisfy the Lakers.
Chandler's decent all-around game and athleticism would be a great addition to a strong Lakers bench.
Harrington's scoring abilities would be gladly welcomed by the Lakers, as he would join Chandler on a very productive bench.
Mozgov is a question mark as an NBA player, but the Lakers would attempt to develop him into a productive backup center.
Why the Nuggets would do it:
If and when Nene decides to leave the Nuggets, they will have to find a replacement player for him, and who better to replace him than the younger Bynum? His scoring, rebounding and defense would definitely make up for the loss of Nene, whether it be this offseason or three offseasons from now.
Barnes would be a very solid backup behind Danilo Gallinari, as his defense would be very useful against good offensive teams.
Finally, Brown would receive an opportunity to start for this team, as he and Aaron Afflalo would compete for the starting shooting guard position. Brown would offer a lot of athleticism, explosiveness and scoring to the table.
Bynum, Brown, Barnes, Ebanks and Caracter and Caracter for Hill, Nash and Gortat
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Why the Lakers would do it:
The Lakers would be acquiring a point guard who fits in perfect with the rest of the Lakers roster. His passing skills, ability to hit a three point basket and playmaking are three skills the Lakers seemed to lack during last year.
Hill would be another great fit with the Lakers, as they are in need of someone who is hungrier than ever to win an NBA championship. His defense and passing would be a big contribution to the Lakers, as no team could have too much good defenders on their roster.
Finally, Gortat would provide the Lakers with a good, young center (probably off the bench) who rebounds the ball very well, is a decent scorer and puts forth a lot of effort.
Why the Suns would do it:
By trading away their two veteran players, the Suns would officially be in rebuilding mode. Bynum would be a great player to rebuild around, as his potential is unlimited, especially if he were to be the first option on the offensive end for a team that is rebuilding.
Brown would probably be given an opportunity to start for the Suns, if not the upcoming season then in the near future. His athleticism and improved jump shot would definitely be a great addition to a rebuilding franchise.
Although Barnes' stay with the Suns would probably be short lived, his defense and intensity would definitely be welcomed.
Finally, Ebanks and Caracter would be two very young players that would be given an opportunity to develop into solid players for a rebuilding franchise.
Gasol, Artest and Brown for Wallace, Miller and Camby
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Why the Lakers would do it:
In Wallace, the Lakers would be acquiring an athletic freak whose all-around game and energy would be a great fit for a Lakers team lacking energy at many points during this previous season.
Miller's playmaking and ballhandling skills would be gladly welcomed by the Lakers, as they have lacked a starting point guard over the last few seasons. His ability to scoring and passing skills would be a bonus to the Lakers.
Finally, Camby would be a great back-up to Andrew Bynum at the center position. Although he may be getting old, his defense and rebounding is still very good, and not much more can be asked from a backup center than that.
Why the Blazers would do it:
The Blazers would acquire one of the best big man in the league in Gasol. His leadership, skill level and veteran presence would definitely give the Blazers an opportunity to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.
Artest and his defense would also be a solid addition to an already good Blazers team. He wouldn't replace the energy Wallace provided them with, but his intensity could definitely match Wallace's intensity.
Finally, acquiring Brown would provide the Blazers with a combo guard who can score very well and is as freakishly athletic as they come. They would have their chance to develop this young player into a starting point guard in the league.
Bynum, Odom, Artest, Walton, Brown and Caracter for Howard, Arenas and Anderson
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Why the Lakers would do it:
Simply put, the Lakers would be adding the best center in the league right now by acquiring Howard. His outstanding defense and quickly improving offensive game would provide the Lakers with a very bright future and also would return them to the top of the list as the team with the best opportunity to win a championship in 2012.
Arenas would cost the Lakers a lot of green over the next three years, but if he were to find some of his game from 2006, the Lakers would come out as huge winners in this deal, as they would get a whole lot more than just the point guard they desperately desire; they would also get a superstar.
Anderson would be a very solid back-up behind Pau Gasol at the power forward position. In addition, he is still very young and could develop into a really good role player.
Why the Magic would do the trade:
No team would ever want to trade away Howard, but if you have to trade him away, the best replacement is another young center with a lot of potential to develop into a really good player. He would be given a lot more touches than he gets with the Lakers, which would help him develop into a better offensive player.
Odom's all-around game would really help the Magic stay in contention for an NBA championship in the Eastern Conference.
Artest's defense and intensity would do exactly the same thing.
When the Magic would be ready to rebuild, Ebanks and Caracter would give them two solid pieces to include in the rebuilding process.
Bynum, Odom, Artest and Blake for Chandler, Marion, Kidd and Butler
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Why the Lakers would do it:
Kidd's arrival would help fill the Lakers' needs for a point guard and a spot-up three-point shooter. The man may be getting old, but he could easily still play the game. Chandler's presence would help fill the void left behind by Bynum. Chandler would definitely help the Lakers improve as a defensive unit. Butler would bring another scorer to the Lakers, which they seemed to lack in the playoffs, especially from the perimeter.
Finally, Marion is a poor man's Odom, but he would be a great addition off the bench behind Butler and Pau Gasol at both forward spots.
Why the Mavericks would do it:
By acquiring Bynum, the Mavericks would be preparing for life after Dirk Nowitzki but would still be able to contend for championships with Nowitzki there.
Odom would be the perfect backup to Nowitzki and Bynum off the bench, providing a great spark alongside Jason Terry.
Artest prides himself on his defense, which would really make the Mavericks happy. Also, although his and Marion's contracts both have three years remaining, he is scheduled to make over a million less than Marion every one of those years, which is money the Mavericks would be saving.
Finally, with Kidd gone, the Mavericks would be able to hand the starting point guard position over to the emerging J.J. Barea, while Blake would be the perfect player off the bench to back him up.
Bryant, Odom, Brown and Blake for Rondo, Allen, Davis and J. O'Neal
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Why the Lakers would do it:
The Lakers would be adding one of the best point guards in the league right now with the acquisition of Rondo. His defense and passing abilities would be a huge boost to a Lakers team lacking youth and energy.
Allen's range would be gladly welcomed by the Lakers, as they would be able to base their offense around the perimeter and the paint, due to the circumstance that they would still have Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
Davis would provide the Lakers with a very solid bench player behind Gasol. His size would definitely be appreciated by the Lakers.
Finally, if healthy, O'Neal would solidify the Lakers bench, as his scoring and rebounding would really help boost the play of the Lakers when the starters need a rest.
Why the Celtics would do it:
Simply put, the Celtics would receive the best player in the game. He excels at every aspect of the game. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Bryant would form an even more fierce trio than the original "Big Three" was.
With Odom coming off the bench, or maybe even starting at power forward with Garnett shifting to center, the Celtics wouldn't skip a beat, as he would provide them with great veteran leadership and a very unique and outstanding all-around game.
Hopefully Blake would be able to bounce back from his average season with the Lakers to become the starter at the point guard position for the Celtics, as that would provide them with a very solid and unselfish point guard, which is a necessity for a team with three superstars.
Finally, Brown would provide explosiveness for a team that is in need of some youth and energy.
