The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for upgrades to their roster after last season’s first-round exit, but have failed to recruit the likes of Klay Thompson and Buddy Hield before not even attempting to sign DeMar DeRozan. With the news of LeBron James‘ contract extension, the Lakers aren’t anticipating major moves as it would make them an apron team.
But if the Lakers want to maximize the era with LeBron and Anthony Davis on their squad, they have to make some sort of a move. The franchise is interested in acquiring Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., something they can do without it costing them an arm and a leg.
Trade Details:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Wendell Carter Jr.
Orlando Magic Receive: Rui Hachimura, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
This trade allows the Magic to acquire a versatile wing who can further their quest to win now while getting off a center they’ve been floating in trade packages recently. The Lakers finally acquire a center who can fit alongside Anthony Davis on the frontcourt.
The Lakers Bring Back The Twin Towers
The term ‘Twin Towers’ has been overused in the NBA, whether it was when Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson were teammates or when it was Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, or now when we have Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota.
The 2020 Lakers also used a double-center strategy to win the title, playing JaVale McGee or Dwight Howard alongside Anthony Davis to maximize the team’s defensive impact. After the 2020-21 season ended in disappointing fashion, the Lakers moved on from the concept and haven’t used it since.
Wendell Carter Jr. averaged 11.0 points and 6.9 rebounds last season for the Magic. He failed to fit into the defensive ethos of the franchise, fighting for a rotational spot until the end of the season when it became clear the Magic don’t really have a better big man than WCJ. His shooting ability and size allow him to complement the Lakers offensively, with his big frame at center allowing Davis to return to being a free-roam defender.
This deal would ensure the Lakers are jumping up to the second apron, so they could circumvent those restrictions by dumping Gabe Vincent or D’Angelo Russell for a cheaper point guard. Nonetheless, this deal would help the Lakers take a big step forward in a West where teams have been loading up on center play.
The Magic Get A Versatile Wing And Open Up Their Center Spot
The Orlando Magic have been looking to move off Wendell Carter Jr. but haven’t found any real package that they could twist their arm into making. Now that they’re a bonafide playoff team hoping to repeat their success from last season, a playoff-tested veteran wing like Hachimura would be a great fit. He could fit into their forward core alongside Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac, providing an offensive spark for a team that struggled to score last season.
Hachimura averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds last season, making a profound impact on the Lakers down the stretch of the season as a do-it-all wing who can play either as the three or the four. The Magic could use a player like him but could also look to move him on with forwards like he always find demand in the NBA.
The Magic aren’t as stacked as their contemporaries in the East, but this move allows them to find a long-term solution at the center position while acquiring a versatile wing like Hachimura. Matter of fact, the Magic look perfectly set up to welcome Nikola Vucevic back to the franchise, provided Orlando tried to reacquire him after sending him to the Bulls in 2021.
Both Teams Move In Winning Directions
The Orlando Magic aren’t going to make much progress with Carter Jr. Even though the center is just 25 years old, his full scale of abilities have been clear for everyone to see in the five years he’s spent in the NBA. He couldn’t thrive with the Bulls when he had an opportunity, and couldn’t thrive with the Magic due to his defensive limitations.
The Lakers are designed to cover up WCJ’s lack of defense by pairing him with staunch defenders like Davis or Jarred Vanderbilt whenever required. In addition, Carter’s offensive fluidity will be his biggest weapon on the Lakers, as they’re a team that often lacks scoring beyond their two stars. If Carter Jr. joins the Lakers, the team will have the infrastructure to help him thrive.
This deal allows the Magic to add another wing player in an NBA where they’re arguably the most valuable commodity while the Lakers get to double-down on size in their lineup by adding WCJ to play alongside Davis and LeBron. With guards like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves still on the team, this Lakers squad could make some legitimate noise in a crowded West next season.
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