Aloha,
As I have watched the playoffs unfold, it is apparent that the times indeed have changed. Because of the new CBA and the pace of the game, top heavy teams salary wise can no longer compete for a championship. Deep teams, built around a star or two is becoming the new normal. OKC doesn’t beat you with their starting five, they beat you with their depth. The same can be said for the Pacers.
The Lakers lost in the playoffs for two reasons, no center rotation and depth, especially the 2nd units lack of offense. But I believe we have a championship level core. I believe we can add what we need without trading any of our core because we don’t need more stars, just a couple of solid role players at center and perhaps another wing.
The click baiters are proposing trade for high priced players that would decimate our depth. I feel any trade that requires us to send out more than one of our core players is a bad trade.
There is a never ending stream of trade ideas for Austin most of those leave a hole at shooting guard and back up point guard because Austin serves as both. So if Rob decides to trade Austin, it has to be a smart trade.
First you have to identify offense starved win now teams, a rebuilding team won’t want him. Sorry Kessler fans. I would talk to two teams in particular. The Magic and the Rockets. Both very good teams that need offense.
I will give you an example. The Magic have a wealth of bigs but lack scoring. I would send Austin out for Goga Bitadze and Anthony Black. Goga is a starting caliber center. He is a terrific rebounder and shot blocker and at 7 feet a decent lob threat. Anthony Black is a 21 year old 6’ 7” PG that played a lot off the ball. While his offensive efficiency dropped some in his 2nd year there is upside there. But he is considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and at his size can guard one through three.
The Magic could plug Austin next to Suggs a top 10 defender in his own right. Austin would probably take over PG duties considering Suggs is more of a combo guard. This is a win win for both teams. We get our center and a replacement for Austin without giving up our draft pick.
If the Lakers are going to trade a core player, this is the kind of deal they should be looking for.
You’re absolutely right, Michael —depth is everything in the NBA. JJ Redick made history by playing the same five players for the entire second half in the Lakers’ Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves. While some might question the decision, he stood by it, saying it wasn’t planned but that those players gave everything they had. To me, our lack of depth is the main reason.
The Lakers’ lack of depth has been a major talking point, especially after trading away key pieces midseason. Redick has had to rely heavily on his stars, but without a strong supporting cast, it’s tough to sustain success. Meanwhile, teams like OKC have built their roster with depth in mind, allowing them to rotate fresh legs and maintain intensity throughout games.
It’s a tough situation, but hopefully, the Lakers can address it in the offseason.
Yeah…the coaching was a huge factor…JayJay The Basketball Messiah really showed his inexperience in those 5 games. Hopefully he’ll build off that.