The Lakers finally shook their roster up by sending out Kendrick Nunn with 3 second-round picks to add a versatile forward in Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards. People have been big fans of this move so far, as Hachimura provides size and skill that the Lakers just didn’t have this season.
Fans were hoping that LA makes more trades before the end of the deadline, though many pessimistic fans thought this move might be it because of how inactive the Lakers have been in the last 2 seasons. However, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has openly said that the team is looking to make more moves, albeit at the right asking price.
Rob Pelinka introducing Rui Hachimura, says: “Doesn’t mean our work is finished.” pic.twitter.com/fYtsPQrSCQ
— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) January 25, 2023
“One of the needs we wanted to address with the roster was adding size and depth to the wing position. Of course, this is the time of the year where we are canvassing the league on ways to get better. With me, that’s talking to all 29 teams and their GMs and keeping the cadence, and checking in every few days. That’s something all the teams have been doing this time of year… (Trading for Rui) was an opportunity for us to strike early and address a need in a market that’s proven to be a little slow. This doesn’t mean our work is finished, we’re going to continue monitoring the situation with the 29 other teams.”
Openly stating their desire to make more trades will definitely put a smile on the faces of fans and especially LeBron James, who’s been waiting for 2 seasons for the Lakers to try and put complementary supporting cast players around him.
Who Can The Lakers Target?
Acquiring Hachimura gives the Lakers the room to return LeBron James to his natural position as a small forward. Despite this, the team should still look to add more wings to the roster given they’ve been playing undersized players like Lonnie Walker IV and Austin Reaves, who are traditional shooting guards, as small forwards to make up for the like of wing depth on the squad.
Trading Patrick Beverley and a second-round pick for a player like Will Barton or Terrence Ross might be the move. The Lakers can rely on their guard rotation of Dennis Schroder and Russell Westbrook, along with Reaves and Lonnie playing as shooting guards. Ross or Barton could back up LeBron and be able to excel in that role.
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