L.A. Lakers: 5 Risky Trades That Can Keep Them Relevant
As the season came to an end, the Lakers showed signs of wearing down.
Kobe Bryant, despite having a great season once again, is 32 and will only find doing what he does harder and harder from here on. Bryant isn't the only Laker whose age will start to catch up to him. Ron Artest is 32, Pau Gasol is 30, Lamar Odom will be 32, Matt Barnes is 31, Steve Blake is 31, Luke Walton is 31. From the core to the role-players, the Lakers aren't getting any younger.
Another reason why the Lakers are probably heading downhill from here on is they're cash strapped. With a $90 million payroll the Lakers don't have a ton of flexibility. It hurts that much more when you consider bad contracts are going to be that much worse once the new CBA is agreed upon.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning the bright spots to the team. They have Bynum, a guy who's potential is preached every year but doesn't ever get healthy enough to demonstrate it (maybe he'll blossom with a larger role). Despite having a team that's probably headed downhill, the team and individual players did great last season and should hold some value on the trade market.
That's where I come in. Here are some random but interesting trade scenario's the Lakers could look at as they try to squeeze one more ring out of Kobe Bryant.
Replacing Gasol (Part 1)
1 of 8
There have been many people who have written off Gasol after a horrible postseason. The truth is Gasol is a very good player still and will do 20-10 on most teams in the NBA. Gasol has played a lot of center and has been great for the Lakers whenever Bynum got hurt. Gasol expended a lot of energy the first few weeks of the season, and that probably fatigued him as the season went on. It's understandable that he didn't maintain a very high level of play throughout the year.
So why trade the guy who got you two championships?
For one, he's a power forward, and PFs are plentiful in the league. Gasol's large contract ($19 million per year for three more years) might not be worth his production. Don't get me wrong, he's a clear-cut All-Star, but a guy doing 19-22 ppg and 9-11 boards isn't worth that contract, especially when many stars would love to play in L.A.
Bottom line: Would you rather have David West (2-3 ppg less, 1-2 rpg less) instead of Gasol if it meant saving $10M/yr? I sure as hell would.
Gasol is 30, he's got one season before that contract starts to become a terrible contract (unless he's going to pull a Ray Allen).
Trade Idea:
Pau Gasol and Devin Ebanks for Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, James Johnson and an exception
(continued)
Replacing Gasol (Part 2)
2 of 8
Now I know by default, 90 percent of readers are considering pressing alt-f4 at this point, but this trade could make sense for the Lakers.
Andrea Bargnani is a prolific scorer, a Dirk Nowitzki clone who's only 25 years of age. Bargnani averaged 21 ppg and has played out of position (as a center) for his entire career with Toronto. Bargnani is expected to blossom with Toronto and isn't as bad defensively as people say (solid post defense, just a really bad help-side defender).
Jose Calderon has a bad contract, but the Lakers need a new point guard. Sure, Chris Paul or Derick Williams would be great, but let's be realistic for a minute. Jose is capable of dishing out 10 assists and scoring around 13 points nightly. It's really rare to find players who can achieve 9-10 assists/game, but it's a category which is seldom looked at. Jose is a three-point threat and will be a great help towards keeping the offense fluid.
James Johnson is a throw-in, but also a very solid defensive prospect. He could be a pleasant surprise, but the same could be said about Ebanks. These two guys cancel each other out.
The negatives to this trade are it's very risky—you're talking about reshaping a contender. If Bynum spends many games on the sideline again (very possible), Bargnani at the 5 won't be the same as Gasol at the 5.
Toronto would do this because Jose is overpaid, and they're getting a PG with their fifth pick this year. Gasol would play center full-time for Toronto, but he's a great upgrade over Bargnani and won't be doing all the defensive work alone.
Overall: For a 19 ppg, 10 rpg power forward, the Lakers receive a 21 ppg, 5 rpg power forward and a 10 ppg, 9 apg point guard.
This is a trade which can go very well or very wrong, but it's something to ponder if you're a Laker fan who isn't so optimistic about the current situation.
Do Something with Ron Artest
3 of 8
Ron Artest is the best. He's just a great character who is really entertaining in front of a microphone or camera. Artest has spent his career being a star defender who also got it done on offense. Artest has pushed many of his teams into the playoffs and played a very important role for the Lakers as they won their second title last June.
Unfortunately, Ron Ron isn't the same anymore. He's just not producing at an efficient rate, and father time is clearly catching up on Artest.
This season Artest has averaged 8.5 ppg and 3.3 rpg on 39 percent shooting.
Artest could still bring back something, and it'd be wise to trade Artest before it becomes even more clear that he's washed up.
Trade Idea:
Ron Artest and Cash for Richard Jefferson
Jefferson is another player who is playing crappy. San Antonio would be gambling on this trade, but perhaps a little change could help both these players play the way everybody would want them to.
Keeping Jefferson was clearly a bad choice for the Spurs, as he only put up 12 ppg and 3.8 rpg on 47 percent shooting.
Jefferson, being 30, is probably the better player of the two, and there is a chance he just doesn't fit Gregg Popovich's system in San Antonio. He could show improved numbers in a Lakers uniform.
Overall: The Spurs would have to believe Artest is still a capable defender, and maybe they'll need a second-rounder for this to go down. This trade could turn out useful for both teams, but the result is unpredictable until we see how each player plays for their new team.
6th Man for a PG (Part 1)
4 of 8
The Lakers have one glaring need and that's at the PG position. There are a few PGs out there that can really give them a lift, but they'll have to give up a lot to get a solid PG.
Lamar Odom played a very important role as the sixth man. Odom averaged a very impressive 14.4 ppg and 8.6 rpg this past season. Odom played 32.2 minutes, mainly at the PF spot.
Why trade Odom? Despite his great season, there is a good chance he will not be this good statistically next season. The two years before this past season Odom put up an average of 11 ppg and 9 rpg. That isn't really special, and though Odom's contributions go far beyond the stat sheet, he's worth trading since he'll be 32 and will likely show some decline.
Trade Idea:
Lamar Odom and Luke Walton for Raymond Felton and Al Harrington
Raymond Felton tallied 17 ppg, 9 apg and two steals per game with the Knicks last season. He was an All-Star and solid in every regard. Felton's contributions on the defensive end could make up for Odom's hard-nose style of play, and offensively, this trade is a big plus for the Lakers.
The Nuggets don't need two point guards when they're going to have holes in the roster when some of their players decide to sign elsewhere (Smith and Martin, amongst others, are probably going to be in different uniforms next year).
To make this trade even better for the Lakers they'll trade horrible contract for horrible contract when they include Walton for Harrington. Harrington is the better player with plenty left to offer, and the Nuggets wouldn't mind Walton since his contract isn't as long.
Overall: The Lakers need to assess their roster and really decide if they'd be better off filling needs over keeping depth and being mediocre in one area. I'd go with needs.
Money-wise, L.A. shouldn't be too hesitant to absorb a few millions here and there if it means an improved shot at a title.
6th Man for a PG (Part 2)
5 of 8
Trade Idea:
Lamar Odom for Jameer Nelson
Another trade involving Lamar Odom for a solid point guard would be to send Odom over to Orlando for Jameer Nelson.
Nelson is a solid PG despite his share of criticism. Overall, Odom is considered to be the more talented player, so this trade isn't exactly perfect for L.A .
Ever since Rashard Lewis started declining, the Magic have been struggling to find a frontcourt partner to put beside Dwight Howard. Odom next to Howard would be a very dangerous duo, and Orlando could start Gilbert or just trade Redick/Bass/Anderson for a half-decent PG.
Overall: Maybe not the best trade for L.A., but a decent one nonetheless.
6th Man for a Miracle (Part 3)
6 of 8
Odom might be a player the Suns would want.
The Suns don't currently have a serviceable PF, and Odom would be a great improvement. The Suns struck gold getting Marcin Gortat from Orlando, a solid center and a rare commodity in the league. The suns have a young PG in Aaron Brooks, who would've gotten a much larger contract had he been a free agent last year. Brooks was sent to the bench and the Rockets decided Kyle Lowry would be a better PG going forward. In Phoenix, Brooks didn't get much attention playing behind Steve Nash. Next season the Suns will have to make a serious choice on whether they want to start rebuilding or settle for another 40-win season.
The Lakers on the other hand are in need of a PG who can score and distribute. Steve Nash may be 37, but he'll help the Lakers with his experience and offensive tools, greatly improving their chances at another title.
Trade Idea:
Steve Nash for Lamar Odom, Devin Ebanks and a first-round pick (2012)
Here the Suns will have a solid team and they can use their picks (and Lopez) to move up a slot or two in the draft, finding Steve Nash's replacement or another very solid prospect (if they keep Brooks). The Suns really won't get very far with Nash on the roster, and the addition of Odom and the young Ebanks isn't worse then losing Nash to retirement.
(Brooks - Alec Burks - Pietrus - Odom - Gortat)
The Lakers really have nothing to lose except for defense because of this trade. The positives really outweigh the negatives, though, as Nash will take a lot of pressure off of Kobe by finding him (over Kobe trying to constantly find his own shot) and other players will also benefit from Nash. On the flip side, easier offense will allow for more concentration on defense, which will hopefully mask some of Nash's defensive deficiencies.
(Nash - Bryant - Artest - Gasol - Bynum)
Overall: Good trade for L.A., especially if they're putting everything into one last heave, but still unlikely for PHX because they could probably get more for Nash from elsewhere. Still, we shouldn't throw this trade idea out the window because, honestly, could PHX really send Nash to the Bobcats? Doubt it.
As a Last Resort...
7 of 8
Now everybody wants Dwight Howard to come to L.A., but it's just not worth Orlando's time to give up the No. 1 center in the NBA and a top-five player for a bunch of vets with lots of miles on them. Usually teams in this position (of losing their star) look for picks, cap space, prospects and all those goodies that'll make them winners once again.
I've decided for the heck of it to add a scenario which could realistically work, take a look:
Trade Idea:
Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol for Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu
Basically, Orlando won't do it. Pau and Bynum will keep Orlando in the playoffs, but their cost will be expensive despite getting rid of Turkoglu's contract. And there's no guarantee Howard's replacement will stay healthy.
Even on the Lakers side, this trade might not be that great. You absorb Turk, who will be so-so but very expensive. You will give up 20-10 and 15-10 for 23-14 and 10-5.
Overall: If I were GM of the Lakers, I'd do it; If I were Orlando, I'd do it as a last resort.
If the new CBA allows Orlando to waive Gilbert without using cap space, the combined savings from Hedo, plus Gilbert, plus the value of Bynum and Gasol would be worth doing it. It's better to look for picks and prospects if they ever feel Dwight's going to leave.
Conclusion, Extras
8 of 8
Overall, the Lakers should really try to do something about the useless players on the roster. On a championship team every single player needs to contribute somehow, and the Lakers have many areas where they need to improve. The trades mentioned are just fun trade scenarios. Some aren't very likely at all, but hopefully you see some backbone to the ideas.
Here is a list of other possible trades which I decided not to examine very deeply:
Odom for Devon Harris = Odom is better, and Utah doesn't need another Big.
Artest for Lou Williams = Lou is far more valuable then Artest, very unlikely.
Steve Blake for Chris Duhon = I can't believe I bothered calculating, but Blake is better per 36 minutes. Still, knowing me, if I was GM I'd try it just because there's no chance of getting disappointed.
Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest for JaVale McGee and Rashard Lewis = McGee isn't going to be better than Bynum next year, so this is instantly a bad trade. Maybe two years from now McGee will be more valuable than an "injury-prone Bynum," but it isn't worth it right now. Also, financially it's a terrible deal because McGee needs an extension next season (which will be a big one).
Odom for Millsap = Utah shouldn't do it, but would be good for L.A. It won't happen.
Thanks for reading, leave a comment! Have a nice day.
