LeBron and AD in Championship Form Complicates Laker Decisions

While the Lakers quietly built a roster that can not only compete for an championship right now but also potentially contend after LeBron retires, James and Davis in championship form complicates their decisions.

The Lakers have always believed a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis were all they need to contend for a championship. Back-to-back 40-point games from their two superstars have just reminded them of that.
With LeBron turning 39 in a few days, Rob Pelinka knows now is the time for the Lakers to go all-in to win because this season is likely the team’s and James’ last and best opportunity to win another NBA championship.

The problem is the Lakers are trying to build a deep and diverse roster to win titles now and after LeBron retires while simultaneously trying to trade for a third superstar to replace James and become Davis’ co-superstar.
The Lakers must decide whether to gamble on pursuing a trade for the Bulls’ Zach LaVine, a talented, sharp-shooting 28-year old two-guard with an injury history and massive contract who could replace LeBron James.

The consensus among pundits is LeBron James’ and Anthony Davis’ recent superstar play has ratcheted up the pressure on Rob Pelinka and Lakers’ front office to pull off a mega trade for LaVine as their third superstar.
A healthy and dominating James and Davis probably increases the odds the Lakers will pursue a major blockbuster move like trading for Zach LaVine, especially if the price is low since there don’t seem to be any competitors.

However, there are compelling arguments that a smarter and safer path for the Lakers to pursue could be to trade for three elite rotation players who combined earn $40 million per year rather than pay it to just one player.

Trading for Three Players SMARTER Than Trading For LaVine

The Lakers would be smarter to trade for three players who combined earn $40 million per year rather than one player because they have more roster needs to fill than a single player making $40 million per year could provide.

Assuming they plan to start LeBron James at point guard, the Lakers clearly need more shooting, playmaking, and rebounding in the starting lineup and a better defensive center to protect the rim when Anthony Davis rests.
While Zach LaVine would provide their starting lineup with desperately needed shooting, rebounding, and playmaking, the Lakers would still have to sacrifice valuable bench depth and diversity and financial flexibility.

Instead, the Lakers could decide to trade for Kelly Olynyk, Daniel Gafford, and Tyus Jones, who together earn $38.5 million per year, and would add starting lineup shooting, rebounding, and playmaking and a backup center.
There’s even the possibility that the Lakers might be able to get Olynyk by removing 1–4 protection from the 2027 first round pick they owe the Jazz and offering multiple second round picks to Wizards for Gafford and Jones.

That would give L.A. a starting lineup of LeBron James, Cam Reddish, Taurean Prince, Kelly Olynyk, and Anthony Davis and bench of Tyus Jones, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Daniel Gafford.
Olynyk replacing Vanderbilt could transform the Lakers’ starting lineup with his elite 3-point shooting, rebounding, and playmaking and Jones and Gafford would add needed playmaking and rim protection to the bench.

The combination of Olynyk, Jones, and Gafford would provide the Lakers starting lineup and rotation with more depth and diversity than they could get from a single player making $40 million per year like Zach LaVine.

Trading for Three Players SAFER Than Trading For LaVine

Trading for Kelly Olynyk, Tyus Jones, and Daniel Gafford, who make $38.5 million per year combined, is considerably safer than putting all your eggs in one basket by trading for a single $40 million player like Zach Lavine.

The problem with trading for a third superstar like LaVine is the Lakers would essentially be gambling all of their trading chips on just one player when our record and performance tells us we need three new players.
While LaVine could be a great fit if he stayed healthy and played defense, there’s major risks the Lakers could repeat the Russell Westbrook trade and end up like with a three superstars and nothing else like the Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers would be much safer by splitting that $40 million in annual salary between three players like Kelly Olynyk, Tyus Jones, and Daniel Gafford rather than betting it all on just one player like Zach LaVine.
Having three players instead of one could also cushion the Lakers from adverse events like injuries, foul trouble, off-games, or bad matchups and provide invaluable insurance should they fall victim to an adverse event.

The Lakers showed in their last two games that LeBron and AD are still top-5 superstars and that what they need most is three strategic upgrades to their starting lineup and rotation instead of a gamble on a third superstar.

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