The Warriors, Lakers, and Under the Radar Trade Teams
Jan 8, 2024
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ESPN's Kendra Andrews discusses slumping Warriors, Draymond Green's return. Dave McMenamin talks Lakers bad offense, outlook at deadline. Bobby Marks gives rapid-fire trade thoughts on Sixers, Kings, Raptors, Pascal Siakam, Hornets, Heat, Wizards, Nets.
The Lakers' offensive struggles stem from a lack of driving to the basket and spacing, requiring an infusion of talent like Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray.
Coaching, lack of buy-in from players, injuries, and inconsistent performances contribute to the Lakers' offensive woes, highlighting the need for talent acquisition and better execution.
The Lakers must consider potential trades to address their offensive struggles, but they should carefully balance improving their talent pool while avoiding sacrificing the development of young players.
The Memphis Grizzlies have started to find their groove after dealing with challenges, showcasing the strong performances of core players and possessing assets that could be used in potential trades.
Deep dives
Struggles of the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are facing challenges with their 18-19 record, including offensive struggles and inconsistency. The team's offense is ranked 23rd in the league, primarily due to a lack of driving to the basket and a lack of spacing. The absence of a shooting big man and a downhill driver has hindered their offensive cohesion. Injuries to role players and the age of LeBron James have also contributed to their offensive woes. Despite the return of some players from injuries, the Lakers need an infusion of talent to improve their offense and make a postseason push. Possible trade targets include Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray, who could provide scoring and energy to the team.
Coaching and Offensive Adjustments
The Lakers' offensive struggles have been linked to coaching and adjustments. The team implemented a new offense with a focus on a five-out system, but it has not taken hold as expected. Lack of buy-in from players and injuries have affected the execution of the offense. The team has tried different lineups and rotations to find cohesion on offense, but a lack of talent and inconsistent performances have hampered their progress. Bridging the gap between offense and defense is a challenge, with players like Austin Reeves, Jared Vanderbilt, and Christian Wood providing either offense or defense. Finding the right balance is crucial for the team's success, but it requires talent acquisition and better execution on the court.
Trade Deadline Considerations
As the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers face decisions on potential trades to strengthen their roster. Possible trade targets include Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray, who could address their offensive struggles. However, the Lakers must weigh the cost of trading away young talent like Austin Reeves and Ruhi Hachimura. The team's priority should be improving their talent pool while considering defensive and offensive needs. Additionally, the Lakers should avoid sacrificing the development of young players who could contribute to the team's long-term success. The trade deadline presents an opportunity for the Lakers to make necessary changes and bolster their chances of success in the postseason.
Importance of Talent Acquisition
The Lakers' offensive woes highlight the need for additional talent acquisition. Their low ranking in drives and lack of perimeter scoring contribute to their struggles. Finding players who can both score and defend effectively alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis is crucial. While there may be limitations due to roster and financial constraints, Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray offer scoring ability and defensive potential that could improve the team's overall performance. However, the Lakers need to carefully assess the value of acquiring new players while maintaining a balance between talent and team chemistry.
Memphis Grizzlies: Building Momentum and Potential Trade Opportunities
The Memphis Grizzlies have been dealing with numerous challenges this season, including a 25-game suspension for Ja Morant and various injuries resulting in 17 different starting lineups. However, since Morant's return, they have gone 8-4 and are starting to find their groove. Their core players, such as Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Brandon Clarke, have been performing well. The team holds various assets, including the contract of Luke Kennard, which could be of interest in potential trades. With a collection of picks and young talent on their roster, the Grizzlies could explore opportunities to strengthen their team.
Sacramento Kings: Crossroads and Trade Possibilities
The Sacramento Kings find themselves at a crossroads this season. While they have a 21-14 record, there are concerns about their negative point differential and recent struggles against strong opponents. With significant salaries tied up in De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings face a dilemma regarding adding a third big contract to their team. The fear of being hampered financially and unable to make future moves might influence their decision-making. The Kings' performance in the coming weeks will determine whether they become aggressive buyers or maintain their current roster.
Brooklyn Nets: Potential Changes on the Horizon
The Brooklyn Nets seem poised to make some changes before the trade deadline. Despite their 27-13 record, concerns have arisen about their defensive capabilities and overreliance on three-point shooting. The team's roster features several intriguing trade candidates, including DeAndre Jordan, Bruce Brown, and Cam Thomas. Additionally, there are questions about how Spencer Dinwiddie fits into the roster upon his return from injury. The Nets might pursue minor moves or even larger transactions in an effort to address their weaknesses and bolster their championship aspirations.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Opportunity to Acquire Key Players
The Oklahoma City Thunder, with their vast array of draft picks and assets, present an interesting opportunity to make moves before the trade deadline. While the team has been in a rebuilding phase, they have the capacity to absorb contracts and add key players to their roster. Acquiring players like Nick Claxton or Darius Garland could provide significant long-term benefits. By taking advantage of their assets, the Thunder can continue their rebuild and strengthen their team for the future.
Zach welcomes ESPN's Kendra Andrews to discuss the slumping Warriors, turmoil in Golden State, and the return of Draymond Green. Then ESPN's Dave McMenamin talks Darvin Ham, the Lakers bad offense, and LA's outlook at the deadline. ESPN's Bobby Marks rounds things out with rapid-fire trade thoughts on Sixers, Kings, Raptors, Pascal Siakam, Hornets, Heat, Wizards, Nets, and more.
Is this salvageable for Golden State (15:07)
Possible trades for the Warriors (25:27)
Draymond Green is a surefire Hall of Famer (31:50)
