The Los Angeles Lakers are 16-12 this season, currently occupying the No. 6 seed in the West. They have had an up-and-down season so far, going on impressive stretches where they look great but then also looking like a lottery team against opponents. As they’re the only top-eight team in the West with a negative differential this year, it’s clear that their roster is overperforming all things considered.
The Lakers must make a move to make this roster competitive instead of relying on the heroics of LeBron James or Anthony Davis. The team can’t seem to win without one of the two if not both having MVP-level performances, something that’s not a valid expectation from a guy in Year 22 and a center in his 30s.
They need better rotational players around them, and the Washington Wizards might be the solution, as the franchise has two players who can fill key needs for the Lakers.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jonas Valanciunas, Malcolm Brogdon
Washington Wizards Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2030 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
This deal lands the Lakers their sought-after center target in Valanciunas, who they’ve targetted since the summer. Brogdon is a highly intelligent backup guard and a former Sixth Man of the Year who could bring stability to the bench while Valanciunas gives Anthony Davis the big-man partner he’s wanted for the last few seasons on the Lakers.
The Lakers Revamp Their Rotation
The Lakers have multiple spots of need in their roster and they need to find creative ways of addressing it. The team has shown a stubbornness to move any of its first-round picks, so this attempt at improvement comes by taking a risk on two older veterans who have lost their spots on different contending rosters over the years just to land up on the Wizards this season.
Valanciunas is averaging 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds this season, while Brogdon is averaging 14.0 points and 4.1 rebounds. Their production isn’t high but their value as respected veterans cannot be understated on a team with winning intentions, as both players will hope to maximize their opportunity to contend for the most famous team in basketball.
This deal allows the Lakers to slot Brogdon into D’Angelo Russell’s role as Sixth Man, with Brogdon specializing in the role over the last few seasons. It would be a more natural role for Brogdon than Russell, who’s struggled to find consistency all season. Valanciunas would be a complementary big man who can either be Davis’ backup or start alongside Davis as he gets to move back to being the team’s power forward.
Max Christie’s success as a starting two-guard will remain unimpeded as the team’s POA defender, with Brogdon adding two-way panache off the bench. This Lakers unit would be pretty sweet, and open up a roster spot for a signing which likely will be another guard given the Lakers send three out in this deal.
The Wizards Add Transitory Pieces
We saw the Trail Blazers try to extract value from Brogdon for almost the entirety of last season and failed to do so until they sent him and first-round picks to Washington for Deni Avdija. Similarly, Valanciunas was allowed to walk by the Pelicans instead of the franchise retaining him despite their obvious holes at center, replacing him with a rookie.
Adding minor assets for these players would be the best way to proceed for the Wizards, who need these veterans to leave their roster to maximize the playing time they give the young players.
D’Angelo Russell is an $18 million expiring contract who’s averaging 12.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists this season, so the Wizards could either keep him and let him walk or find a team hoping to add a cheap scoring punch to potentially get more assets here. Jalen Hood-Schifino will join the team’s young guard core with Carlton Carrington and get an actual opportunity to play and prove his potential.
Gabe Vincent could actually have a future in Washington as a veteran bench guard without the expectations of heavy minutes. He’s under contract till 2026, so the Wizards could move off him next season as an expiring deal or keep his inexpensive $11.0 million deal on the books and hope his positive influence rubs off on the young roster. He’s averaging 4.3 points on 37.2% from the field this season.
Improving Around The Margins
The Lakers have two genuine stars in LeBron and Davis, so overthinking and looking to add a third star next to them is pointless. It backfired for the franchise when they lost depth for Russell Westbrook, so this deal allows them to add two playable rotational pieces for players who haven’t thrived this season.
D’Angelo’s numbers are down and his role looks permanently diminished while Vincent has not proven his value despite the minutes he gets. Hood-Schifino hasn’t even come close to cracking the rotation on a Lakers franchise that has a track record of giving young players opportunities. Replacing these three with Valanciunas and Brogdon would mark a significant improvement.
The presence of Valanciunas as a playable center is going to be huge for the Lakers, who have wanted to add a center from the moment JJ Redick took over as coach. Brogdon would be a more composed bench leader than Russell and could benefit from having his talents on display on the Lakers in a contract year.
If there’s any deal out there to improve their rotation, this is the one they have to pursue.
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