The Los Angeles Lakers have fallen to their worst losses of the season in back-to-back games, first losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves before a 41-point blowout against the Miami Heat last night. Even LeBron James and Anthony Davis know that the blame can’t be put on the coaching, as they defended JJ Redick post-game and blamed the players. However, there’s a larger structural problem causing their issues.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has made very few moves since the trade to dump Russell Westbrook in February 2023, with the Lakers running an almost identical roster from last season by subbing out Taurean Prince for Dalton Knecht. The blame falls on the players, but we need the one who has put this collection of talent together to make a bold move and shake the Lakers up.
He could engineer a massive deal with two bottom-of-the-conference teams to greatly improve their roster.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Brandon Ingram, Collin Sexton, Walker Kessler
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Drew Eubanks, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Utah Jazz Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Gabe Vincent, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2030 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
This deal gives the Pelicans an avenue to dump Ingram before his impending free agency and likely departure from the franchise, with the two returning players potentially being useful for a return to competitive fire. The Jazz get a robust pick package and multiple players for two key players who would transform the Lakers overnight.
The Lakers Land 3 Heavy-Hitters
This deal is extremely optimistic on the Lakers side, but if they can find some sort of a variation of this deal where they can get away with giving up only one first-round pick, it would be considered a phenomenal deal. No matter how passive Rob Pelinka wants to be, even he can’t dispute the extreme value the Lakers get in this trade by swapping out five players for three higher-quality replacements.
Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists this season on the injury-stricken Pelicans, with his future looking cloudy unless he gets moved to a new franchise.
Collin Sexton is averaging 16.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists for the Jazz while Walker Kessler is averaging 10.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks as his teammate. Sexton adds another guard-scoring threat with a higher defensive output than D’Angelo, while Kessler addresses JJ Redick’s day-one need for another big man on the roster.
The Lakers can play Kessler as their starting center while Davis returns to his more natural position as a power forward. Ingram would slot in as the three as LeBron James completes a full-time shift to point guard with Austin Reaves starting alongside him while Sexton comes off the bench.
The Lakers will have to address minor holes on their roster like backup guard play and the excessive big-man depth with Kessler, Jaxson Hayes, and Christian Wood, but those can be answered using additional minor trades or buyout market signings with the additional roster spots.
The Pelicans Address Their Struggles With Depth
If you asked the Pelicans front office where they hoped to be 20 games into the season, they wouldn’t have said bottom of the Western Conference, but that’s the dilemma they’re in. The team has been heavily hampered by injuries to Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Ingram, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and almost everyone else as well. This season is toasted for them, but they can put themselves in a position to contend next season through depth while intelligently managing the cap.
Hachimura is averaging 12.1 points and 5.2 rebounds this season, proving his value as a do-it-all forward on low volume. Vanderbilt is yet to play this season and is bound to miss more time, but could be a useful defensive frontcourt asset upon returning. Eubanks is averaging 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds this season and would paper over the Pelicans’ poor depth at center.
All three players will remain under contract next season before becoming expiring deals, giving the Pelicans over $30 million in salary relief in the 2026 offseason by which time they’ll pick a direction on contending or rebuilding depending on the health of its stars and their production. They don’t see a long-term future with Ingram and this is a great return to get off for an impending free agent.
The Jazz Accumulate Future Assets
The Jazz have picked a tanking direction early this season, opening the season as one of the worst teams in the NBA after spirited opening campaigns over the last two seasons which put them far ahead of the tanking pack by the time the lottery came around. This season seems to be a proper tank year for the Jazz, who hope to land a franchise-altering piece in the 2025 NBA Draft. To make that happen, they have to start moving off players who don’t fit their future plans right now.
D’Angelo Russell will come to the team averaging 12.4 points and 4.8 assists and will be a decent half-season addition before hitting free agency unless the Jazz trades him further for second-round assets. Gabe Vincent will be a solid veteran on the bench for the franchise until his contract expires in 2026, while Hood-Schifino is a raw young talent who the Jazz could develop into becoming a rotational player for the franchise.
The biggest asset coming to Utah in this deal is the 2027 pick as well as the protections possibly being lifted off the 2029 Lakers pick that the Jazz already own. The second-round assets will soften the blow of essentially accepting a $29 million salary dump (Russell $18.0 million, Vincent $11.5 million).
The Only Path Back To Relevance For The Lakers
The Lakers cannot afford to be a middle-of-the-road West team once again. They’ll stay competitive enough for the Play-In once again which will land them an unfavorable first-round matchup which likely will lead to another first-round exit for the franchise. If Pelinka believes in LeBron and Davis, he’ll not hesitate before making this solid value deal.
Filling out the top-six of this rotation with high-caliber players and rounding the rotation out by giving Max Christie greater opportunity or finding bargains in free agency, the Lakers will be far better off with a deal like this.
The Pelicans load up for one last contention push with Zion Williamson next season, with most of their core under contract for next season. The Jazz prepare for a bright future, where they control two future first-round picks that belong to a Lakers franchise with an uncertain future.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.
