When the Lakers traded for future Hall of Famer Steve Nash in the summer of 2012, they gave up two first rounders (2013, 2015), and two second rounders (2013, 2014). Looking at the overall production the Lakers have gotten from Steve Nash over the last two years, it is fair to say that Phoenix has already won this trade.
However, this could get A LOT worse. Before this season, the Lakers were projected to finish around 10th place, which would most likely give Phoenix a lottery pick. At the time of the trade, who would have guessed that the Lakers would be in prime contention for a top three pick in the 2015 draft. Besides Kobe Bryant, every single player from the 2012-2013 roster has either been traded, or left in free agency. Things have not gone as planned, and Mitch Kupchak had no idea that the Lakers would be in a rebuilding period just one year after trading for Dwight Howard and Steve Nash.
The fact that the Lakers gave up their 2015 first round pick did not get a lot of attention until this past off season. Nobody thought it would be a great pick, but all of the sudden, after an off season where Carlos Boozer was the best pick up, Laker fans want Kupchak’s head. Yes it was a stupid move, but nobody on the planet in 2012 would have guessed that the Lakers would be this bad just two years after being one of the favorites to win the 2013 NBA championship.
Well, now about 1/8 into the season, the Lakers sit at 1-8, last in the Western Conference and second to last in the league (behind the 76ers). I did mention that the Lakers traded their 2015 pick, but I did not mention that it was top five pick protected. This means that if the Lakers receive a top five pick in the 2015 NBA draft, they get to keep it. Based on the way the season is going, the Lakers should have no problem finishing in the bottom five, in fact, they might just end up with the second worst record.
Looking at the talent of other teams that are near the bottom of the standings, besides the 76ers, teams such as New York, Minnesota, Denver, Utah, and Orlando, all have much more talent than the Lakers.
You may look at this as a bad thing, but this is the second best possible outcome a team can get from a season. In this league, there are two ways to have a “successful” season. First, a team either make the playoffs and contend for a championship, or a team comes in the bottom 8 or so and get a good draft pick. The teams that finish in the 9-13 range, are stuck in mediocrity, and really come out of the season with nothing. They did not contend for a championship, or receive a good draft pick.
Based on this, which “successful” way out seems more realistic for this year’s Laker team? The thought of being a contender is out the window, due to the fact that the Lakers have a winning percentage of .111, and that’s with a rested Kobe. Wait until the season goes on, and Kobe’s legs start giving out, then the Lakers are in even bigger trouble.
Nov 15, 2014; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) reacts after scoring against the Fairfield Stags at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
This year’s draft class has a strong core, but is lacking depth. The potential top five picks are just as intriguing as last year’s draft. If the Lakers could put themselves in a position to get Jahlil Okafor (Duke), Emmanuel Mudiay (Guangdong, China), Karl Towns Jr. (Kentucky), or Stanley Johnson (Arizona), the Steve Nash trade won’t go down as THAT horrible. In fact, Bleacher Report has the the Lakers taking Jahil Okafor at number two in their recent mock draft. This is just me, but I would not mind ending up with Jahlil Okafor after a terrible season.