Los Angeles Lakers must build on the improvements they have made throughout the last season. They did not have the balance for a long time on their roster. As a result, the Lakers could not make the postseason last year. Moreover, they had a poor start to the current season as well. However, the Lakers’ front office made some crucial changes before the trade deadline that brought balance and changed the whole dynamic of the group. Hence, from mid-February, the Lakers started looking like a team worthy of being a champion. And they shocked everybody by reaching the Western Conference Finals. Apparently, the LA side might not have even made the postseason if it was not for those crucial trades.
Hence, the Lakers’ front office has to chalk out a plan to maintain the roster as intact as possible for the following seasons. They have to tread lightly through the offseason. Moreover, players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura will be restricted free agents in the offseason. However, D’Angelo Russell will be an unrestricted free agent. He played a crucial role in helping the Lakers reach the conference finals. Moreover, D’Lo is a pretty good three-pointer shooter. But it looks like he is a viable option for the Lakers to trade so that they can sign in players like Kyrie Irving or others. Hence, the concern for the franchise is to look for another expert three-pointer shooter.
Lakers Need More Three-Pointer Experts
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the Lakers are in need of prioritizing their 3-point shooting. The squad has a problem with their cap space because of the presence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But they need extra help for the duo who can score crucial three-pointers. Apparently, the Lakers can try to sign in players like Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers and Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors. Moreover, VanVleet has a good record of scoring three-pointers and is a likely choice for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Other than the choices Lakers have for buying, there are quality shooters already present in their roster—Malik Beasley, who joined the team in February. Moreover, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are good three-pointer shooters. Another player on the Lakers roster who has a contract till next year, Max Christie, is a pretty good shooter. On top of that, would like for Coach Darvin Ham to give him a chance to crack the rotation. Moreover, the front office will need to find more options to add shooters who can help LeBron James and Anthony Davis around.
The February Trade Changed The Dynamic Of The Team
The Lakers finished 7th after the regular season. And had to go through the play-in game to make the conference finals. They beat the second-seed Memphis Grizzlies. And also the defending champion Stephen Curry‘s Golden State Warriors. In both series, the LA side won 4-2 in a dominating fashion.
But they could not go any further as Denver Nuggets blew the purple and gold army away. The top seed of the Western Conference was too strong for the LA side. As they lost the series in four games. But there is no doubt in the minds of the fans that the LA franchise changed a lot. The team became a much better team after the February trades.