The next trade the Lakers must make after Finney-Smith
Lakers Make Moves
Sunday morning, the Lakers took a giant step towards becoming genuine contenders this season by trading for Dorian Finney-Smith. Los Angeles sent out D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks for Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
As previously mentioned, this move signals to the fans and league alike that this team is a contender and that the organization wants to go all in on them.
Finney-Smith and Milton should fit seamlessly into the roster, and their play styles will instantly benefit the team. However, this move alone should not be the end of the Lakers’ activity.
To establish themselves as one of the top teams in the league, the team needs to address one more hole. The lack of a legitimate backup center has been a point of emphasis all season long.
Christian Wood has been injured all season, and Jaxson Hayes has been serviceable for stretches but has also missed games with injuries. Christian Koloko has also shown flashes but ultimately is not ready to be the designated backup of a team with championship intentions.
The trade deadline is over a month away, and the Lakers still have their first-round picks. However, all reports indicate that they are not done. Here are some of the trades the Lakers could still make.
Walker Kessler and Ex-Lakers Guard Jordan Clarkson
Lakers Receive: Walker Kessler and Jordan Clarkson
Jazz Recieve: Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, and Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2027 first-round pick (top four protection removed), and a 2029 first-round pick
Walker Kessler has been on the Lakers’ radar for some time now, and for good reason. By the numbers, Kessler is one of the most elite rim protectors in the entire league and only continues to improve. The best part, he’s only 23 years old.
Walker Kessler: rim protector pic.twitter.com/WWIAJdrY3j
— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) November 30, 2024
Kessler would provide backup support at the five-spot, which we haven’t seen since the 2020 Championship campaign. Truthfully, he might be better. Averaging 10 points, 11 rebounds, and nearly three blocks per game, he is the quintessential big man the Lakers have been looking for.
Clarkson has technically been on the Lakers’ radar since before he was even drafted. As the 46th pick in 2014 by Los Angeles, Clarkson quickly established himself as a scorer, earning a spot on the All-Rookie 1st Team. The scoring has not stopped since he left.
Clarkson would add tremendous value off the bench, as he’s averaging 17 ppg. The Lakers’ second unit has struggled throughout the season and currently ranks in the bottom three in the league in scoring.
Having a dynamic scorer in Clarkson off the bench would help in the minutes when LeBron or AD is off the floor.
Jonas Valanciunas
Lakers Receive: Jonas Valanciunas
Wizards Receive: Gabe Vincent and two second-round picks
This past summer, LeBron gave the organization a list of some players he wanted to play with. He was even reportedly willing to take a pay cut to play with them. The legitimacy of the ‘list’ was never proven, but if there was one, Jonas Valanciunas was on it.
Rob Pelinka is reportedly interested in acquiring Valanciunas using Vincent’s contract and the Lakers remaining second-round draft capital.
The bulky seven-footer from Lithuania fits the mold nicely for what the Lakers are looking for. While he doesn’t provide the rim protection that the other two bigs on this list provide, his presence down low is always felt.
LAKERS NEED TO TRADE FOR VALANCIUNAS
he just ABUSED Jokic 💀 pic.twitter.com/UUoflDWr5V
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) December 8, 2024
The Lakers currently rank 22nd in boxouts and 28th in rebounding league-wide. That is not a formula for championship basketball, but Valanciunas would drastically help on that front.
Fun fact: no player in NBA history has recorded more double-doubles in games in which they played less than 25 minutes than Valanciunas. Efficient double-doubles certainly won’t be frowned upon in LA.
Nick Richards
Lakers Receive: Nick Richards
Hornets Receive: Jaxson Hayes, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and two second-round picks
Personally, if the move isn’t for Kessler, I would love Nick Richards. About to enter his prime at 27 years old, Richards provides an athletic spark on the floor. While Richards and Kessler are both 7 feet tall and 245 lbs, Richards is a much bouncier athlete than Kessler.
Richards is currently averaging 9/8/1 with 1.2 blocks per game. His advanced stats are even more impressive. Richards’ stats per 36 minutes come in at 15/13/2. This is promising because this shows that he can do the most with the limited minutes he’s given.
Nick Richards.
First game back after an extended injury absence last night.
12 pts
6 reb
3 blocksOne of the most obvious, cheapest trades to make that won’t require a 1st Rd. Pick. Do it, Mitch. pic.twitter.com/D3vn97NknA
— Lakers Legacy (@LakersLegacyPod) December 1, 2024
Of all the bigs on this list, Richards provides by far the most highlight potential, from blocks that end up in the second row to lethal throwdowns on lobs. If Richards is the move the organization makes, get ready for Showtime.
