The Los Angeles Lakers may never get the chance to finish this season. Last we saw of them, LeBron James and Anthony Davis were dominating as the team was gearing up for a long postseason run.
So with the 2019-20 campaign likely headed for the shelf, are the Lakers confident they can continue where they left off next season? One thing is for sure — keeping Davis and Bron is the key to continuing their success. But when it comes to depth, there is still some room for improvement.
That may be the reason why they are already considering their options on the trade market this summer. In fact, according to Bleacher Report‘s Andy Bailey, there is one deal in particular that could help L.A. increase their chances in the 2021 postseason.
The Trade: Eric Bledsoe and Wesley Matthews for Danny Green and Alex Caruso
“On the season, the Lakers are minus-0.9 when Anthony Davis plays without James, largely because he’s not the kind of player who can singlehandedly carry an offense,” Bailey continued. “And combining him with a well-past-his-prime Rajon Rondo has led to some dreadful minutes.”
For the Bucks, the switch from Bledsoe to Green offers increased defensive potential and greater offensive potential from the perimeter.
For Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo is already running plenty of possessions. And, unlike with Los Angeles, his No. 2 can actually run the show. The Bucks offense is in the 94th percentile when Khris Middleton plays without Antetokounmpo, and Middleton averages 29.2 points per 75 possessions in those situations.
Replacing Bledsoe with a bigger defender who’s also a much better shooter would likely raise the team’s ceiling.
It’s a lateral move in that neither team really gets an upgrade in talent. The real value in the deal is acquiring guys who are better suited for the roster.
Green is a shooter and defender and would be a better fit next to Giannis. Bledsoe gives L.A. the point guard they’ve been searching for to help run the offense.
It’s a win-win scenario for both sides, but it remains to be seen what their plans are this offseason.
