The Los Angeles Lakers are just 15-11 about two months into the NBA season, and they have fallen to eighth place in the Western Conference. While it clearly isn’t time to panic, some mild concern is warranted, given the legitimate championship expectations the team had when the season started.
Many feel L.A.’s biggest weaknesses are 3-point shooting, perimeter defense and perhaps frontcourt or wing depth. Some also think the team needs a legitimate third scoring option to take some pressure off LeBron James and help it remain productive when the superstar is resting.
It has led to much speculation that it is going to go after Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine via trade. However, people seem divided on whether that would be a prudent move for the Lakers, and at least one prominent writer has said he isn’t who they should go after.
On the other hand, the Bulls have some other intriguing trade targets, and many feel they will soon have a fire sale, as they’re going nowhere fast.
Jordyn Bontrager of Lake Show Life proposed an interesting trade between the Lakers and Bulls that doesn’t involve LaVine but could address a couple of the Lakers’ needs.
Bulls receive: Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 first-round draft pick
Lakers receive: Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams
How this trade could help the Lakers
It’s no secret Caruso was a fan favorite during his four seasons with the Lakers, to the point where he was treated as a cult hero. He is an excellent, gritty defender, and last season, he finally got recognition in that department by being named to the All-Defensive First Team.
The 6-foot-4 guard has been thought of as limited in every other facet of the game. But so far this season, he has greatly improved his outside shooting. He’s hitting an amazing 47.2% from 3-point range on 3.4 attempts in 22.6 minutes a game.
Williams, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound 22-year-old, was the No. 4 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He would play backup power forward for L.A., and Bontrager outlined what he would bring to the team.
Via Lake Show Life:
“Cons aside, he is capable of defending positions 1-4 (and maybe even a little 5) and has buried over 40% of his 3’s since entering the NBA in 2020. At the ripe age of 22, Williams still has a ton of time to develop and a plethora of potential. We have seen what a change of scenery has done to benefit Cam Reddish with the Lakers this year.”
Williams was also regarded as a freakish athlete coming out of Florida State University, and he is a strong finisher around the rim.
Why this trade could be too risky for the Lakers
While the Lakers would gain 3-point shooting and defense by making this trade, they would lose an important bench scorer in Hachimura, who is averaging 11.8 points in 24.1 minutes a game this year. They need multiple players other than James and Anthony Davis who can create their own shot, and Williams may not truly fit the bill in that category.
While they may be able to stomach the thought of trading Hood-Schifino, the No. 17 pick in June’s draft who hasn’t played much, giving up a future first-round pick may be too much. They already gave up one to get rid of Russell Westbrook in February, and many feel L.A. should maintain enough of its draft capital in order to successfully rebuild once James, who will turn 39 in about two weeks, leaves.
