The Los Angeles Lakers have a very quiet offseason, failing to make any free agent signings in a tough market. They were spurned by Klay Thompson and Buddy Hield, while not recruiting free agents like DeMar DeRozan and Gary Trent Jr. The team doesn’t have open roster spots and needs to make deals to add fresh energy to the roster beyond rookie Dalton Knecht and Bronny James.
Given the state of the trade market, after Mikal Bridges was traded to the Knicks, the Lakers can’t hope to land a big name unless they’re willing to gut their roster and future draft assets. Instead, a proposed trade on Fanspo suggests they should make a risky deal to freshen up their roster by moving out four out-of-favor players for Malcolm Brogdon, Grant Williams, and Cody Martin.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Malcolm Brogdon, Grant Williams, Cody Martin
Charlotte Hornets Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino
Washington Wizards Receive: Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC), 2027 Second-Round Pick (NOP/POR)
This deal allows the Lakers to add three playable rotation players in three different positions to bolster the team’s depth while moving off out-of-favor guards D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent. Instead of draft assets, the Lakers will have to give up young talent such as defensive ace Jarred Vanderbilt and sophomore guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.
The Lakers Reshape Their Rotation
The Lakers are relying on JJ Redick to squeeze more out of a rotation that Darvin Ham led to a first-round loss last season, which could explain their lack of moves so far this summer. However, there have been inherent flaws in their roster construction which could be addressed with this move.
Malcolm Brogdon is an in-demand veteran guard who averaged 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists with the Blazers last season. He was dealt to the Wizards in the summer but would be more useful for the Lakers, who are a win-now team. Brogdon has spent a year on a tanking team headed nowhere already, and it would be pointless for the 31-year-old guard and 2022 Sixth Man of the Year to waste a year on the Wizards.
Cody Martin is a serviceable wing in the NBA, averaging 7.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists last season. He tends to go hot and cold but has shown an ability to be a strong perimeter defender who has been held back by the Hornets’ system in the last few seasons.
Grant Williams averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season on the Mavericks and Hornets, being dumped by Dallas at the trade deadline for P.J. Washington. While Washington was a better-fitting player in the Mavs system, the Lakers could use a versatile wing like him to provide consistent 3-and-D play with Anthony Davis providing interior defense, allowing Grant to excel on the perimeter.
The Hornets Continue Building In The Right Direction
The Hornets have made bold moves in re-tooling their roster around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller this offseason, adding young talent like Josh Green via trade while also drafting multi-faceted French wing Tidjane Salaun with the No. 8 pick. The team wants to be in contention for a Playoff spot to end a seven-year drought, so adding D’Angelo Russell could be ideal for them
Russell is on an expiring contract, averaging 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists last season. He could find a new role in his career as a flame-throwing scorer off the bench, as new head coach Charles Lee looks to build a defensive identity amongst the starters. Russell is a combo guard and could play next to LaMelo or instead of him depending on what the team needs.
Jalen Hood-Schifino couldn’t break into the Lakers rotation, playing 21 games last season after being selected with the No. 17 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 6’6″ guard has tons of upside, but a contending Lakers squad isn’t where he’ll get the opportunities he needs. He could be a great addition to the Hornets’ young core.
The Wizards Rebuild Continues
The Wizards need to make this move to open up space for the youth revolution on their roster. Getting off Brogdon will not only allow rookie Bub Carrington to have a solidified starting role but also give a longer leash to Jordan Poole, who the team hopes can rediscover the version of him we saw with the Warriors.
Gabe Vincent is a solid guard option to have in their rotation but will be low-maintenance, meaning the Wizards won’t have to force him into their rotation after an injury-ridden season for the Lakers where he played just 11 games.
Jarred Vanderbilt might be the best outgoing player for the Lakers in this deal, as the 6’9″ forward has proven himself to be one of the better defenders in the NBA. His lack of offensive talent has hurt the minutes he gets in LA, averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals last season on 20.0 minutes per game. He also struggled with injuries, but the 25-year-old forward could find a long-term home in Washington as he continues developing his game.
Instead of agitating for first-round picks, the Wizards should take a flyer on Vanderbilt, who could retain his trade value even if his offense doesn’t develop. He’s proven to be a lethal on-ball defender who can also protect the rim, a rare talent to find in the modern NBA.
What Grade Should This Trade Be?
Overall Grade Of The Trade: B
This deal isn’t perfect for any of the teams involved but is extremely intriguing for all sides given the opportunities it opens up for them.
Los Angeles Lakers: B+
The Lakers would be overjoyed to come out of this deal with three players who’d instantly be in their rotation without giving up more than a second-round pick. While parting with Vanderbilt won’t be easy, the Lakers shouldn’t fret over that loss as much given everything they’re getting back. All three players give effort on the defensive end while bringing offensive panache to a roster that struggled to score effectively last season.
Brogdon’s injury history should trouble the Lakers, but the real value could be found with Williams and Martin. Williams was solid for the Celtics in a low-end rotational role while crumbling after making a high-profile move to the Mavericks and not being as effective for them. If they get Mavs’ Grant, this deal could easily be a C or even a D because they lost the proven defensive value of Vanderbilt.
Charlotte Hornets: B
The Hornets get a decent result for Williams and Martin, two players on long-term contracts that they can get off while giving up just one draft pick. Russell comes in with question marks regarding his mentality, as it’s unclear how he’d receive being traded to one of the worst organizations in basketball over the last two decades.
The Hornets are on a promising upward trajectory which could allow Russell to rehabilitate his value on an expiring contract. The contract alone should get Russell motivated to thrive outside the bright lights of LA. The same applies to Schifino, but he has long-term value he can bring to the franchise as a switchable big guard who impressed scouts with his on-ball abilities coming into the Draft.
Washington Wizards: C+
If anyone is getting the short end of the stick here, it’s the Wizards. Brogdon can be an in-demand trade asset if they hold onto him until the deadline, so moving off him right now without getting a first-round pick could be considered a misstep. Even if Vanderbilt is a young and talented defender, he has been injury-prone in the last two seasons and could be a bust for the Wizards if he can’t find his way past that.
Two second-round picks don’t seem equitable for a 20-point scorer like Brogdon, but he has his own injury concerns to deal with. Ultimately, this should be a move to open up space in the rotation for Bub Carrington, so the true value of this deal will be discovered after we see if Carrington can become a franchise point guard for the Wizards.
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