NEWS IN – LA Lakers now serious to complete Zach LaVine deal ASAP after Lebron James angry message [Full Story]
After the Lakers’ embarrassing 138-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, Los Angeles star LeBron James said “a lot” must change with the team, per The Athletic.
Despite the worst loss in James’ 21-year NBA career, league insider Shams Charania doesn’t think the Lakers will make a panic move. He expects, however, Los Angeles to make a deal before the Feb. 8 trade deadline — perhaps for Chicago Bulls shooting guard/small forward Zach LaVine.
"I expect them to express interest in Zach LaVine."
– @ShamsCharania
Do the Lakers need a 3rd star??
📺: https://t.co/qYBPWhYgh7 pic.twitter.com/8dszo21Fcu
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) November 28, 2023
The Lakers (10-8) continue to get stellar play from James, who’s averaging 25.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists. His shooting numbers are even more impressive (56.3% from the field and 39.2% from three-point range).
The 38-year-old continues to defy age, but James can’t be dominant forever. The Lakers would be wise to maximize their superstar’s championship window by exploring trades for a third star to go with James and Anthony Davis.
As Charania noted, LaVine could be a potential fit with his three-point shooting (career 38.2%) and ability to attack the rim. His lack of defense, however, leaves a lot to be desired for a team trying to win a championship.
The Bulls would be wise to request in return Austin Reaves, a player who could help a rebuild in Chicago. It seems unlikely, however, the Lakers would be willing to move Reaves for LaVine.
In the playoffs last season, Reaves averaged 16.9 points and 44.3% three-point shooting. Despite playing since 2014, LaVine has appeared in only four playoff games. If the Lakers trade Reaves, it will be for someone who moves the championship needle more than LaVine.
With the Raptors (8-9) stuck in mediocrity, Toronto might be willing to deal Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. Siakam is a free agent next summer, and Anunoby will be if he declines his player option.
Siakam is an All-NBA-caliber player who averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season. He proved he can be the third star on a championship team with the Raptors in 2019 and has improved his play since.
Anunoby is not an All-Star, but he ranks among the best defenders in the NBA and is shooting 41% from three-point range and averaging 15.5 points. James excels when surrounded by shooters, and Anunoby would be an ideal 3-and-D player for the Lakers.
As the Bulls look to rebuild, DeMar DeRozan is another trade candidate. He’d be a problematic fit with the Lakers, however, because he offers nothing on defense and lacks a reliable three-point shot (career 29.3%).
DeRozan’s reputation as a poor playoff performer is well-deserved — he has a 42.8 effective field-goal percentage in the postseason, a steep drop from his weak regular-season average of 48.1%. (EFG% adjusts traditional field goal percentage for the different values of two-point and three-point shots.)
The Lakers are right not to rush into any decisions, but they must do everything in their power to maximize the championship window James gives them by adding a third star or surrounding him with elite shooters and defenders.
The Lakers 2023 trade deadline was a success, and management must pull off a similar feat if the Lakers are going to help James contend for his fifth championship.
