The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to balance past, present, and future.
A franchise that’s been home to some of the most recognizable names in basketball history, their jerseys are as gold as their standard.
Even now, the Lakers employ future Hall of Famers. LeBron James, who’s entering his 22nd season, has the most decorated NBA career on record. Anthony Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, is a nine-time All-Star.
However, there’s a reasonable amount of concern about whether Los Angeles has what it takes to win another title before James retires.
The Lakers could presumably keep their championship window open after James hangs it up, acquiring another star to play alongside Davis. Yet, their best chance of raising their 18th banner is by maximizing the remaining years of James’s unforgettable career.
This has helped lead to questions about whether LA should add another star, like Chicago Bulls wing Zach LaVine.
Among the Lakers’ potential targets, LaVine arguably has the best combination of availability and talent. There are concerns with LaVine —injury, salary, and on-court —but there’s no denying he’s a high-quality scorer.
What exactly would it take for the Lakers to pull the trigger on a LaVine deal though?
For starters, there would have to be a definitive need. As a result, Los Angeles could wait until D’Angelo Russell or Austin Reaves shows that they’re not ready to be the third option.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick is determined to get the best out of both Russell and Reaves. Nonetheless, Russell’s career history suggests that he’s unreliable while Reaves’s underscores his inexperience.
The advantage LaVine has over both of them is proof that he can consistently score at a high volume and efficiently. If the Lakers believe they have enough playmaking and defense around him, and with James and Davis they may, he can be a valuable addition.
LaVine’s price tag is also worth consideration. The 29-year-old will make $138 million over the next three seasons, which certainly stands out. Yet, when the Bulls were deep in the weeds this offseason, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that they were willing to attach a first-round pick to LaVine to move him. Not only does this soften the perception of his salary but it prevents LA from digging into their desolate draft cupboard.
In theory, the Lakers could swap Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Jarred Vanderbilt for LaVine, Torrey Craig, and a first-round pick. With the roster spot that opens up, free agents like Marcus Morris could become targets.
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