It’s the crisis at the Los Angeles Lakers. Supposed to play the title, the Hollywood franchise occupies a sad eighth place in the West with a negative balance: 21 wins, 22 losses. The Angelenos are even closer to last place in the Conference than to the podium. A terrible finding. This is why changes in the squad seem inevitable as the mid-season break approaches.
Fans would dream of seeing Russell Westbrook leave almost as quickly as he arrived. But a new transfer of the leader seems absolutely improbable. His decline causes his market value to drop and he collects more than 44 million this season. 47 the next. The Lakers will have to learn to deal with it. So far, they still can’t.
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There are other alternatives to strengthen this badly built workforce during the last off-season. Frank Vogel and his assistants embraced a “small ball” philosophy that hinted at progress on the pitch. But it takes the right players to apply it. So with that in mind, we thought about some potential targets for LA
The franchise does not have many assets to refourguer, the counterparties offered are substantially the same. Here are five ways to “save” the season of a great team in distress. The idea would be that the Lakers manage to make at least two in the lot to really revive themselves.
Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons)
He’s one of the most talented players likely to hit the market this winter. The Lakers need to position themselves. Because his profile would match perfectly. Jerami Grant became a borderline All-Star in Michigan but he also knows how to play the men in the shadows.
With his new status, he can claim that of luxury joker in Los Angeles. Grant would be the ideal link between James and Davis. A winger capable of moving away, creating his shot, cutting and above all, above all, above all defending. He is athletic, mobile, strong. The frontcourt would clearly gain in technique, credibility and power.
Except that the leaders will obviously have competition on the file. The Lakers offer should center around Talen Horton-Tucker and a future first-round draft pick (as well as one or two other minor players). A pick of 2025, 2026 or 2027 given that the organization has already separated from the others. A post-LeBron pick, which may eventually interest the Pistons. Everything then depends on the value given to THT by the Detroit front office.
Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets)
It is often repeated, Eric Gordon is the veteran to seek. A successful player who has nothing to do with the Rockets. It would be much more interesting for him to join a candidate for the title – or at least for the playoffs – just to contribute fully to the quest for his first ring.
Because Gordon, 33, is still in his final years at the top level. He runs at almost 15 points on average and above all 50% on shots and 45% at three-pointers. Snipers at this level are rated and coveted. The Rockets have no particular interest in selling him off, they will find a high-placed pick in the draft even if they keep him.
To respect the exchanged salaries, the Lakers will have no choice but to include Horton-Tucker once again. In the company of Kendrick Nunn and a Kent Bazemore for example. And obviously a future first round. The offer could seem more attractive for Houston than for Detroit.
Larry Nance Jr (Portland Trail Blazers)
The return ! Larry Nance Jr was already an interesting player at the Lakers during his first stint in California early in his career. The Blazers are struggling to use him properly and his market value has dropped. Now is the time to take the opportunity to bring him back. He could have a role similar to that imagined for Jerami Grant, obviously less strong offensively.
But Nance is a very good defender who shines with his versatility. An ideal complement to the side of Anthony Davis in the racket for example. He can help him get stuck in certain five positions, take rebounds, take advantage of his liveliness to steal balls, etc. Only problem, his three-point address down. But playing with James could allow him to get open shots in the corners.
The advantage is that it is therefore not very expensive. A second round or two and Kendrick Nunn may be enough to satisfy Portland, which is looking to save money and is surfing on the advent of Nassir Little on post four.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta Hawks)
Much more complicated. Maybe even impossible now that the Hawks have already sacrificed Cameron Reddish. But who knows. The Lakers have the right to dream, damn it. In fact, the GM of Atlanta would have to completely crack Talen Horton-Tucker to the point of wanting to recover him. In the company of at least one round of draft. No, but in fact it doesn’t. Maybe via a three-way deal then. In any case, it would be beautiful for LA
Gary Harris ou Terrence Ross (Orlando Magic)
Just THT should be enough to convince the Magic but it might be a bit expensive for Gary Harris’ expiring contract. Terrence Ross is a better target but it’s better to keep Horton-Tucker in a package for a bigger player. Suddenly, it would be necessary to add small salaries among those of Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington, Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan. With second turns to soften the maneuver.
