The Lakers had their sights set on some big names this offseason, but things didn’t go as planned. Klay Thompson officially signed a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, solidifying their roster with his sharpshooting abilities. Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas inked a three-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards, leaving the Lakers without a veteran center.
Their pursuit of James Harden also fell through as he re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $70 million deal. With these setbacks, the Lakers’ best realistic option seemed to be DeMar DeRozan, but acquiring him would require a bargain-bin contract of $12.8 million through the full MLE, which is highly unlikely.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans have shaken things up by trading for Dejounte Murray and reportedly putting CJ McCollum on the trading block. This could be the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to swoop in and snag that elusive third star. If they can secure McCollum, it would provide a significant boost to their roster, adding much-needed scoring and playmaking alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Brand New Trade With The Pelicans
Lakers receive: CJ McCollum
Pelicans receive: D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino
This potential trade marks the first major deal between the Lakers and Pelicans since the blockbuster trade that brought Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. The Pelicans benefit by acquiring D’Angelo Russell, a true point guard who can efficiently run the offense. While CJ McCollum is an excellent playmaker, he is primarily a shooting guard, so adding Russell provides the Pelicans with a more traditional floor general. Gabe Vincent adds depth, and Jalen Hood-Schifino offers potential for the future.
The Lakers bring in CJ McCollum to enhance their backcourt, pairing him with Austin Reaves. McCollum’s scoring and facilitating abilities will significantly bolster the Lakers’ offense. Moreover, trading away Russell and Vincent clears the path for Bronny James to see minutes as a second-string point guard, allowing him to develop and contribute off the bench. This move strategically balances the Lakers’ roster while enhancing their scoring and playmaking capabilities.
How The Lakers Can Come Out Stronger From This
The Lakers’ offseason struggles began with missing out on Klay Thompson, who signed with the Dallas Mavericks, and James Harden, who re-signed with the Clippers. LeBron James even offered to take a $20M pay cut to help land a big name. However, without Klay or Harden, and DeMar DeRozan being a tough option due to cap space, the Lakers are in dire need of a significant player to bolster their scoring and playmaking capabilities.
Among the elite players currently available, CJ McCollum stands out as probably the best option. The free agency class this year isn’t particularly strong, and while DeRozan might convince LeBron to take a pay cut, securing McCollum would also likely keep him satisfied. McCollum’s versatility as a scorer and playmaker makes him an excellent fit alongside Austin Reaves, LeBron, and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers can form a starting lineup with CJ, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura at small forward or Dalton Knecht, their recent 17th overall pick, followed by the duo of LeBron James and Davis in the frontcourt. McCollum’s stats from last season—20.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game—highlight his impact on the court. His ability to score and facilitate would greatly complement the Lakers’ core, providing much-needed support for LeBron and Davis.
Adding McCollum to the backcourt with Austin Reaves would give the Lakers a dynamic duo capable of handling the ball and creating scoring opportunities. McCollum’s experience and ability to perform in clutch situations will be crucial in high-stakes games. His presence would also allow LeBron to focus more on his playmaking and less on scoring, while Davis can dominate the paint without needing to stretch his game too thin.
Even better for the Lakers, trading away their other point guards can clear the path for Bronny James to see minutes as a second-string point guard. This would provide Bronny with valuable experience and development time, while also giving the Lakers a fresh, young player who can contribute off the bench.
They cannot afford to exit this free agency without another star on the roster. LeBron is set to sign a two-year contract with a player option for a third year. If the Lakers fail to become contenders, LeBron, at 39, will not be able to carry the team on his own and may consider retiring. Therefore, acquiring a player like McCollum is crucial for the Lakers’ immediate and future success.
In conclusion, trading for CJ McCollum would not only address the Lakers’ current needs but also strategically position them for success in the upcoming season. His scoring, playmaking, and fit with the team’s core players make him an ideal addition to the Lakers’ roster.
Why This Move Is Great For The Pelicans
After losing the Anthony Davis trade in 2019, the Pelicans are poised to come out on top this time. Acquiring D’Angelo Russell fits perfectly with their revamped roster. DLo can play off-ball, allowing Dejounte Murray to handle playmaking duties. Murray, who averaged 9.1 assists per game with the Spurs in 2022, struggled in Atlanta playing alongside Trae Young. The lack of ball-handling opportunities resulted in zero playoff series wins for the Hawks. Russell’s ability to play off-ball while providing a reliable shooting threat makes him an ideal fit for the Pelicans.
Russell’s experience playing alongside LeBron has honed his off-ball movement, making him a great complement to Murray. His 2024 stats—18.0 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds—highlight his versatility. With his three-point shooting, he can stretch the floor, allowing Zion Williamson more space to dominate inside. Brandon Ingram also benefits from having another playmaker on the court. The Pelicans could even start Herb Jones or Trey Murphy for defensive matchups while bringing Jordan Hawkins off the bench, showcasing their depth and flexibility.
The departure of Jonas Valanciunas, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards, opens up new opportunities for the Pelicans. Valanciunas’ absence leaves a void in the center position that the Pelicans can address by using Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino as trade pieces. Potential targets include Isaiah Stewart from Detroit, Day’Ron Sharpe from the Nets, or even Walker Kessler from Utah, if the Pelicans are willing to part with future first-round picks. This strategy allows the Pelicans to add a quality big man to their roster, bolstering their interior defense and rebounding.
In an ideal scenario, the Pelicans’ lineup would feature Murray, Russell, Ingram, Zion, and Kessler, creating a young and dynamic team with significant depth. This lineup not only maximizes the strengths of their star players but also provides the flexibility to adapt to various matchups throughout the season. The addition of Russell enhances their offensive options and provides a reliable secondary ball-handler, easing the burden on Murray and allowing him to thrive in his natural playmaking role.
By making these strategic moves, the Pelicans significantly improve their roster, setting themselves up for future success. The combination of experienced playmakers and young talent creates a balanced team capable of competing at a high level.
