As we come upon Christmas Day and the skate of games played every year we reach what I consider to be the quarter point of the season.
The Lakers are, unfortunately, about what I thought they’d be: middle of the pack. Sure there’s some fluctuations but no matter where we’re ranked in either defense or offense the record is the only thing that really matters. We’re 7th in the west, I have them pegged as finishing 8th.
Sure we’re only 1/2 a game from a true playoff spot, but the point differential informs one that, as currently constructed, this is about the ceiling for this team. Defense is still a major concern. Health, specifically LeBron’s, is a major and ongoing issue. It’s real hard to see us taking down a healthy Phoenix, Denver or Dallas squad. Heck, with home court advantage I can even see Houston running us off the floor in their gym.
That doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom, there are quality players on the roster now. They’re just not good enough to push us over the top into true contender. The roster’s decent talent level creates an issue for the front office: to trade them or not?
The case for making a trade this season revolves around one player: LeBron James. After that time is more on the Laker’s side. AD has shown he can be a key piece on a banner winning team. Rui, Reaves, DLO, and perhaps even Max Christie could form the kind of core that hoists a banner…with the right top tier player. That will at some point will not be LeBron James.
Is it worth jettisoning a competent core for a player that fits in alongside someone who really ought not be a part of the team come 2026. This is based on simple math. LeBron will 42 in 2026. You simply cannot in good conscience continue to build around a player who is that old. If AD continues to play at this level you need to find him a cohort that maximizes his talents, not LeBron James.
This will not come as good news to LeBron fans or his camp but it is the truth. It cannot be ignored after this season. You cannot trade competent role players who also play well alongside AD for a “maybe” or “hopefully” player. You either need a playmaking point guard with true three point gravity (Trae Young) or an elite wing (not gonna happen, those are the most valuable commodity in the NBA today and would require a king’s ransom thus decimating the very team you are trying to build).
Could a rugged backup center help? Minimally, at best, in my opinion. A rugged backup center will not fix the transition defense, turnovers or myopic three point shooting. So, unless it’s for a player not listed above…maybe DLO because there’s no guarantee he read-ups here on the cheap, it’s just not worth it.
Certainly not for any draft picks unless it’s for a future altering player. That is not Zach LaVine or Zion, it’s for guys who won’t be traded. Guys like Ant Man, Fox, and the like. We need those picks to try and draft players like that.
So tomorrow enjoy the game, I’ll be pulling for our Lakers to prove me wrong and not just tomorrow but for the rest of the season. I just can’t ignore what is so obvious to my own basketball sensibilities. There’s a reason they play the games though and that opinions don’t define the world: it’s all in the doing.