Trade Targets for the Lakers
General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, Rob Pelinka, pulled the trigger on an in-season trade this past weekend for the first time since February of 2023. The Lakers acquired long-time rumored trade targets Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets. In exchange, D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks will leave Los Angeles. This trade addressed major needs for the Lakers: perimeter defense and three point shooting.
Finney-Smith adds versatility to the Lakers lineup and is a very capable 3-and-D forward. This season, he has been averaging a career high from behind the arc, shooting nearly 44%. The Lakers hope that shooting can be carried over to Los Angeles as the team currently ranks in the bottom half of the league when it comes to three point percentage. Finney-Smith is a high level role player that can contribute and do the small things for a championship contending team. Milton’s addition can also be valuable for the Lakers as it is another playmaker and a just below 40% shooter from three. Financially, the trade pushed the Lakers further below the second apron by unloading Russell’s contract for two cheaper deals. This allows the team to make more moves this year and in the future.
On paper, there are two positions that the Lakers lack. The first is a true point guard that can facilitate a half court offense and take over games offensively. However, Austin Reaves has shown flashes that he can handle those responsibilities. In his last three games, Reaves is averaging 29 points and 12 assists. This makes the urgency of addressing this need not very crucial. However, if the Lakers feel like they need help, De’Aaron Fox could be a great fit but an expensive option.
Another need is a backup center to Anthony Davis or a center that can start right next to him. The Lakers lack size in the paint and currently allow the third most points in the paint in the league. Christian Wood has not played one game this season due to injury, and Jaxson Hayes has been hit or miss when on the floor. Rumors are that the Lakers are pushing hard for a center already. Walker Kessler is the more popular option to be paired with Davis. Kessler is averaging a career high in points and rebounds this year and would bolster the Lakers' front-court defense. He averages just below three blocks a game. He and Davis would be towers in the paint that could make teams second guess about attacking the rim against the Lakers. Kessler is a 23-year-old, seven-foot center who makes all the sense in the world for Pelinka to acquire. Another center that the Lakers have had their eyes on since last summer could be Jonas Valančiūnas. He would be an immediate starter who just adds extra height in the paint and could allow Davis to play the four. If the Lakers prefer cheaper options, Nick Richards and Robert Williams are names to look out for.
The Lakers currently sit seventh in the Western Conference standings. However, they are only four games back from being the second seed. Acquiring Finney-Smith and Milton could just be the start of the Lakers making moves to help make a push in the West. The NBA Trade Deadline is on February 6th, and the Lakers have already announced that they will be buyers this season.
