The Los Angeles Lakers are among the most discussed NBA teams regarding the trade market and rumored targets. GM Rob Pelinka already made a move several weeks ago. Given the Lakers’ surge of late and the off-court pressure levied by Anthony Davis, Pelinka is likely to make another move. With Jonas Valančiūnas and Nikola Vučević currently linked to the Lakers as trade targets, some voices are warning against their pursuit.
NBA Insider Advises Against Lakers Trade Targets
Should Lakers Avoid Nikola Vučević and Jonas Valančiūnas as Trade Targets?
The Lakers need a center—someone to back up AD and provide the roster with better depth. Davis has said it publicly now, and it’s remained a relevant flaw in the roster going back to last season. The pulse around the Lakers is that this will be the year Pelinka makes key moves. Considering his early trade activity already and the fact that the Lakers look like a competitive team, Pelinka should feel even more urgency to keep going.
That may not mean the Lakers make a move for a big man who has been linked to them since the offseason. The same can be said of another likely high-priced big man out of Chicago. These two big men, Valančiūnas and Vučević, are two centers that ESPN’s Tim McMahon adamantly suggests the Lakers avoid at all costs. He attributes his claim to the major deficiency each player has: defense.
“It would be a completely deranged thing for the Lakers to trade for Jonas Valančiūnas.” McMahon stated on the Hoops Hype Podcast with Brian Windhorst. [11:15 mark] “He can’t do anything on defense. [Nikola] Vučević can’t guard anybody either. These guys are not good enough. The Lakers have had the same problem for years now…really since they got rid of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the Russell Westbrook trade. They have no perimeter athleticism to guard anybody. They haven’t had any actual 3 and D players for years, that has been the problem with their team.”
Are There Better Option Out There?
MacMahon isn’t wrong on the lack of defensive capabilities of Valančiūnas and Vučević. That said, they do have a presence in the paint, Valančiūnas especially, considering his size and rim protection. The Lakers need defense above all else, though, especially on the perimeter. Trading for Dorian Finney-Smith helps that cause, but is it enough for the playoffs? It’s too early to tell right now, but defending the perimeter has killed the Lakers recently, as MacMahon pointed out. So, if Pelinka is purposed to address the team’s overall defense, he should trade for a big man with a greater defensive upside.
The factor that could get in the Lakers way is cost. The perfect example is Walker Kessler in Utah, whom the Lakers have tried to trade for, but the asking price remains steep. Daniel Gafford is another option to pursue now that the Dallas Mavericks have made him available. Vučević is likely unattainable due to the Bulls’ asking price, so his part in this conversation is probably moot. Valančiūnas remains high on the Lakers list of interest, though. If they continue to pursue the Wizards big man, they see his defensive abilities differently than MacMahon. Or, they’re willing to live with that setback to fill a roster flaw and give AD what he needs.
