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Los Angeles Lakers: Rental for a Repeat

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The Trade: Los Angeles Lakers acquire Victor Oladipo from the Indiana Pacers for Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma and the No. 28 pick in the 2020 draft.

A healthy Victor Oladipo would solve the Los Angeles Lakers’ playmaking problems whenever LeBron James isn’t on the floor. Rajon Rondo’s postseason revitalization was a nice story, but the Lakers can’t expect that same level of performance going forward.

Danny Green has no shortage of championship experience, but he hasn’t shot better than 34.2 percent from deep in the playoffs since 2015-16. The quickest guards are also now a half-step too quick for him. That’s not to say Green would be useless with the Indiana Paccers; he still shot 36.7 percent from distance during the 2019-20 season and profiles as a starter. Kyle Kuzma would give Indiana some youth and scoring touch on the wing, and though his defense didn’t make the leap hypothetical teammate T.J. Warren’s did last year, Kuzma has been much more capable on that end as he’s matured.

If Oladipo can’t stay healthy or otherwise flops for the Lakers, this deal could hurt. But with James entering his age-36 season, the potential one-year upside Oladipo would bring would be worth the risk.