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Lakers: 3 Trade Deadline Targets at Shooting Guard

By Christian Rivas

Dec 20, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) stands on the court in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Lakers 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) stands on the court in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Lakers 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brandon Knight

Dec 19, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (11) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 115-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (11) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 115-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Age: 25

Contract: Signed a five-year, $70 million deal in 2015. Average $14 million a year.

2016-17 Relevant Stats: 11.9 PTS, 2.4 REB, 2.4 AST, 0.6 STL, 0.0 BLK

It’s really hard to feel bad for the Phoenix Suns. For the past couple of years, they have had a “problem” with having too much talent in the backcourt. First, it was Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas. Now, it is Devin Booker, Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight.

Once again, it looks like they’re going to have to break up the band, and Knight looks like he’s the odd man out. Booker looks the part of a future All-Star (on the offensive end at least) and Bledsoe is coming fresh off of a career-night against the Toronto Raptors.

With their latest win, the Suns (15-29) are 3.5 games behind the eighth seed in the West. The Suns’ front office might feel inclined to make a move involving Knight to secure them a spot in the playoffs. If that’s the case, the Lakers should make them an offer.

Knight is not even a year removed from averaging 19.6 points per game yet he is averaging the seventh-most minutes per game (21.9) on the Suns’ roster. Jared Dudley and P.J. Tucker are getting more run and they’re both on the wrong side of 30. What went wrong?

Well, Knight currently holds the fourth-worst box plus-minus in the NBA, so that might have something to do with it. He’s also really, really bad on defense (not that Booker is much better). Phoenix is better of trading Knight for a pair of guards that can initiate offense off the bench. Namely, Lou Williams and Nick Young.

The Suns have a starting lineup capable of keeping them in tough games, but there is a huge fall off when the second unit comes in. Phoenix’s bench is shooting 42.8 percent from the field and elite teams like the Golden State Warriors–who they’d see in the first round of the playoffs–unapologetically feast on bad benches. If they can bolster their bench, they can easily compete for the eighth seed.

The Lakers could send Young, Williams and Jose Calderon for Brandon Knight and P.J. Tucker. Young and Williams would be instant offense for Phoenix off the bench and Calderon would give the Suns an option outside of rookie Tyler Ulis at point.

LA would have a young combo guard to play alongside D’Angelo Russell and an expiring contract in P.J. Tucker. Phoenix would also have a pair of expiring contracts in Young and Calderon.

Next: Ingram struggled against the Mavs

But what do you guys think? Should the Lakers pursue a shooting guard at the trade deadline? Are there better options at shooting guard on the market? Let us know in the comments below!

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