The Los Angeles Lakers are a good team, perhaps the best in the NBA. Their superstars, Anthony Davis and LeBron James can dominate the Western Conference. Most people know that the way dynasties extend their winning runs is by making savvy moves via trade or free agency. The Los Angeles Lakers are good, but perhaps with a trade, they could be even better.
Victor Oladipo is a star who just got traded to the Houston Rockets. However, he is on an expiring contract, and could possibly be traded again so that the Rockets could get some assets in return, and fully start their rebuild. Victor Oladipo is a player that could help push a contender over the top. In a league where superteams win championships, the Lakers could elect to take a flyer on Oladipo to win it all this season.
The Houston Rockets Start Their Rebuild
The Houston Rockets recently traded James Harden, their disgruntled superstar, to the Brooklyn Nets. In return, that got them a collection of future first-round picks, and future pick swaps. That positions them well for the future, as they previously traded away a lot of their own picks when trading for Russell Westbrook. The Rockets got a steal in free agency in Christian Wood as well, further helping their rebuild in the post-Harden era. By trading Victor Oladipo to the Lakers, the Houston Rockets could further build on their promising future. This Rockets team probably isn’t a contender, and Oladipo is a free agent after this season. It makes sense to trade him before the trade deadline.
The Los Angeles Lakers would offer Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Kyle Kuzma could offer a young forward to pair with Luka Doncic. Kuzma has shown himself to be a solid scorer during the 2018-19 season, averaging 18.7 PPG. However, he has had to take a limited role on the team in order to win a championship with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Kyle Kuzma could re-ignite that scoring potential in Houston, and he would have a larger role there as well. Kuzma could thrive with a playmaker like John Wall on the roster. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is an elite shooter and solid defender, someone who could help mentor the younger players on the Rockets roster. This trade would let the Houston Rockets commence a rebuild, giving them a younger player with potential, and a solid veteran. Overall, that’s a solid return for a player who might leave at the end of the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers Gain Star Power
The Los Angeles Lakers are the favorites for the Finals, but if they have to face the Brooklyn Nets, they’re going to need all the talent they could get. Victor Oladipo could want to win a championship with LeBron James: depending on how the season goes, he could then leave or stay in Los Angeles. Victor Oladipo is a two-way guard who would be great defensively: on the offensive end, his game is versatile enough to slot in behind two superstars. Oladipo is a player who is currently averaging 21.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 4.7 APG. Oladipo has played like a star this season and would be a great addition to the Lakers.
Victor Oladipo would provide a third scoring option that is consistent and could help the team’s offense if the Lakers’ superstars aren’t having a good night scoring-wise. Oladipo would also be a solid addition defensively: he once led the league in steals and has an All-Defensive selection during the 2017-18 season. His perimeter defense is elite, and he would form a formidable backcourt with Dennis Schroder. There is no downside to adding an All-Star caliber player to the roster for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Victor Oladipo could be the piece that wins the Lakers the championship; likewise, Victor Oladipo could play at the highest level on a team like the Los Angeles Lakers. The trade seems perfect for both the team and the player. Victor Oladipo could compete in the Finals on the Lakers, and hopefully win it all.
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