The Los Angeles Lakers are 18-7, in fourth place in the Western Conference and only 0.5 games back of second. That’s better than most anyone thought the Lakers would be 25 games into the season. However, it is clear both watching the games and diving into the numbers that the Lakers are far from a finished product.
Their 1.5 net rating ranks 14th in the NBA and would be seventh in the Western Conference, and that is in large part due to their 20th-ranked defense. Building a contender around three below average defenders — Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James — is usually not a sustainable method.
That’s why the team must be on the lookout for ways they can improve the roster. Reportedly, they have a very specific archetype that they would like to acquire this season, via Marc Stein’s Substack:
League sources say that the Lakers would naturally like to be in the 3-and-D market this Trade Season, but it’s a very limited market at this juncture, essentially headlined by Sacramento’s Keon Ellis despite the fact that Ellis is playing seven fewer minutes per game this season under Kings coach Doug Christie than he did last season.
We mentioned the other day that the Pelicans would insist on a significant haul to part with Herb Jones. It’s a price point is presumed to be beyond the Lakers’ current trade means.
Generally speaking, though, my read on the Lakers’ preferences is that they would like to target players in the same age range as stars Luka Dončić (26) and Austin Reaves (27) as they continue building out the roster around them as opposed to surrendering prime trade assets for thirtysomethings. It’s an approach they leaned on in the offseason when the Lakers split their midlevel exception on Deandre Ayton (27) and Jake LaRavia (24).
A 3-and-D wing who is in his prime years is effectively always in short supply on the trade market, and the biggest reason for that is that they are one of the most valuable archetypes in the NBA. What has happened with Keon Ellis in Sacramento has been a mystery, but teams will almost assuredly be banging down the door to try and land him.
If the Lakers can get Ellis, that would be a massive victory. It’s also arguably the best back-up plan to L.A.’s clearly preferred target based on all the rumors: Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans. Jones is reportedly out of the Lakers’ price range, as they only have one tradable first during this season.
At the very least, it’s clear the Lakers know what they need. The question is if they’ll be able to find it this season.
Lakers could look for fringe trade
Up to this point in the season, the Lakers have exceeded expectations given the injuries and adversity thrown their way. With Luka and Reaves showcasing an extremely high ceiling as a backcourt, the Lakers have themselves in the top half of the West playoff picture.
Outside of those two, LeBron is starting to figure out how he fits in with each game under his belt. Then, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton provide secondary scoring punches when opposing defenses focus on the Big 3.
However, a noticeable flaw is the lack of defensive-minded personnel. That is a key need when the trade deadline rolls around, as adding one or two 3-and-D players could go a long way to create a bit more balance.
With uncertainty surrounding Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Wisconsin, the Lakers are not necessarily expected to make a splashy move. But, they are going to try and find a middle of ground in terms of meaningful upgrades to the roster.
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