The Los Angeles Lakers looked like they were going to be in win-now mode ahead of this year’s trade deadline, and they did not disappoint. Rob Pelinka and the front office executed a number of smaller moves, adding more shooting and athleticism to the roster. The team also got younger overall, trading away veterans Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley to the Jazz and Magic, respectively.
After the trade deadline, it is clear that the moves the Los Angeles Lakers made greatly improved their rotation. Acquiring D’Angelo Russell and other rotational players in a three-team trade was amazing, and managing to get a frontcourt partner for Anthony Davis by moving Patrick Beverley for Mo Bamba was an underrated move.
Recently, the Twitter page Hoop Central posted the current players on the Los Angeles Lakers roster, and when looking at their new-look team, it’s clear the Lakers could end up making some noise going into the last stretch of the season.
LeBron James
Anthony Davis
D'Angelo Russell
Rui Hachimura
Mo Bamba
Malik Beasley
Jarred Vanderbilt
Lonnie Walker IV
Dennis Schroder
Davon Reed
Austin Reaves
Wenyen Gabriel
Troy Brown
Max Christie
New Lakers team post-deadline.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 9, 2023
Point Guards: D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schroder
Shooting Guards: Malik Beasley, Austin Reaves
Small Forwards: LeBron James, Troy Brown Jr., Max Christie, Davon Reed
Power Forwards: Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, Wenyen Gabriel
Centers: Mo Bamba, Jarred Vanderbilt
There are a few key additions for the Los Angeles Lakers that particularly stand out. Starting with the frontcourt, Mo Bamba seems like the perfect frontcourt partner for Anthony Davis, as he is a relatively agile big man with shooting ability while also providing rim protection on the defensive end. He will reduce the wear and tear on Anthony Davis heading into the playoffs, and the duo will likely be able to form an elite defensive partnership that deters opposing players from driving to the rim. Jarred Vanderbilt is a good defensive option, as he is a multi-positional defender who is also a solid rebounder. Having these two players alongside Rui Hachimura gives the Lakers elite depth for the frontcourt.
In the backcourt, the Los Angeles Lakers added D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley. Both players are definitely geared more toward the offensive side of the ball. D’Angelo Russell is a perfect third-option fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, as he is a floor general that can run an offense while also providing complementary scoring. He is also known as a clutch shot-maker, which bodes well for his ability to perform for the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs. Malik Beasley is the quintessential sixth man, and he can definitely provide high-volume 3PT shooting and overall scoring coming off the bench.
From a cost-of-acquisition perspective, the Los Angeles Lakers sent out the expiring contracts of Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and Thomas Bryant, along with one first-round pick and multiple second-round picks to get this deal done. They managed to keep one of their tradeable future draft picks, and that could even be used to make another trade down the line.
Are The Los Angeles Lakers Contenders?
The Los Angeles Lakers basically managed to rebuild their roster overnight, thanks to the front office’s efforts. They maintained some flexibility for the future while also allowing LeBron James and Anthony Davis the opportunity to compete immediately in the Western Conference. Though they may not end up being as good as top-tier teams such as the Phoenix Suns or the Denver Nuggets, they could end up surprising people if their superstars end up getting to the playoffs healthy.
When the team won their 2020 championship with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the key was having a lot of good role players who knew how to play their part. The Lakers have that right now, as they have a lot of hungry young players who are likely eager to win a championship this year or in the future.
It will be interesting to see how far the Los Angeles Lakers get in the playoffs this year. Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of luck for a team to make a deep run after improving their roster. Hopefully, we see the team flourish, and looking at it on paper, the Los Angeles Lakers definitely got much better.d
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