The NBA trade deadline is approaching quickly, and many teams expected to be active continue to approach it with patience, it would seem. Few trades have occurred in the last two months, with more rumors and speculation following. The Los Angeles Lakers are one franchise heavily expected to make another move after Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton‘s acquisition in exchange for D’Angelo Russell. With GM Rob Pelinka on the clock, Lakers head coach JJ Redick appears to be involved in trade musings beside Pelinka and the Lakers front office.
Lakers Trade Musings Include JJ Redick’s Input
Lakers HC JJ Redick Is the Perfect Figure to Share Insight on Possible Trade Scenarios
The pressure mounts on the Lakers to improve the current roster further, and a chunk of that pressure comes from the franchise’s two cornerstones: LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Both players have spoken out, whether directly or indirectly, in recent days regarding improvements in their efforts to move the front office to make another move. As AD put it, the Lakers are apparently one or two pieces away. One piece includes a legitimate backup center behind Davis, which the Lakers don’t currently have.
In the midst of all this, Redick appears active in his team’s attempts to find the best trade out there that best compliments the Lakers roster. Of course, Redick knows the ins and outs better than any regarding fit, chemistry, and the CBA. It should not be lost on anyone that he would understand to the T the various intricacies involved in player movement and the aprons that get in the way. According to Lakers insider and ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin, Redick spoke to this in a recent practice press session.
“I think there’s a lot of factors that go into making any trade. I think the new CBA makes it more complicated, particularly just to do a straight up two-team trade. And then you certainly have to factor in what our group is now and the value of keeping future assets. But we talk every day.”
With his extensive playing background and the obvious basketball knowledge and intelligence Redick has displayed in his podcast ventures, having the ear of Pelinka and actively involving himself in the Lakers efforts to upgrade speaks to Redick’s basketball IQ and unique perspective.
The “One of Two Pieces” Will Need to Be Significant
Shipping out D’Lo for Finney-Smith was a productive move on Pelinka’s part. The Lakers received in Finney-Smith a level of perimeter defense and presence that Russell could not produce. While D’Lo’s offensive output is greater, Finney-Smith’s overall impact outduels Russell’s in the big picture. Was trading for Finney-Smith season-altering? Likely not, but it certainly was a step forward. A season-altering acquisition would come in the form of Trae Young or Jimmy Butler—two high-profile players the Lakers have been linked to. Butler’s connection has been more recent, considering the quickening developments out of Miami. Young’s connection, however, goes back to last season.
In A Good Place, but Not Confidently
The purple and gold hold the fifth seed in the West and are coming off back-to-back blowouts over the Washington Wizards and the Boston Celtics. The win over Boston was surprising, even with the C’s playing the second game of a back-to-back. It’s not inconceivable to still have shaky confidence in the Lakers despite their positioning and 24-18 record. But they’ll take it and be looking for more in the coming weeks. Addressing the remaining flaws on the roster should help, with just under two weeks to do it.
