Lake Show Life
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Lakers: 3 Trade Deadline Targets at Power Forward

By Christian Rivas

Jan 5, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton speaks with forward Julius Randle (30) during the first quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton speaks with forward Julius Randle (30) during the first quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Richaun Holmes

Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Richaun Holmes (22) reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Richaun Holmes (22) reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Age: 23

Contract: Signed a three-year, $3.1 million deal in 2015. Unrestricted free agent in 2019. Average $1.03 million a year.

2016-17 Relevant Stats: 6.8 PTS, 4.3 REB, 0.8 AST, 0.6 STL, 0.8 BLK

After spending the last several years in the lottery, the Philadelphia 76ers are finally turning things around. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have the potential to be one of the best frontcourt duos, if not the best frontcourt duo, in the NBA.

Unfortunately, most, if not all of the talent they have, is in the frontcourt. On top Embiid and Simmons, the Sixers have the No. 3 pick in the 2015 draft, Jahlil Okafor, and lottery picks Nerlens Noel and Dario Saric. They’re going to have to flip one of them for a guard eventually, right? RIGHT?

Once they clear up their logjam in the frontcourt, they will get a better idea of what their rotation will look like. Assuming Okafor and Noel are dealt by the deadline (spoiler: they will), Simmons, Embiid and Saric will get the bulk of the playing time in the frontcourt. That’s also assuming they don’t trade for another big man, which is assuming a lot.

But going with that assumption, that leaves the No. 37 pick in the 2015 draft, Richaun Holmes, with the leftover minutes. Anyone who’s watched him play knows he deserves so much more than that.

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Holmes was taken in the second round of the draft, but if there was re-draft today he would be taken in the first round without question. His elite athleticism and ability to space the floor was tailor made for the modern NBA game. Holmes just hasn’t been given his opportunity because he’s battling for minutes with top-10 draft picks. In Los Angeles, he would not have that problem.

The Lakers could send Tarik Black and Lou Williams to Philly in exchange for Holmes. Williams and Black only make a combined $13 million a year, giving the Sixers flexibility to chase free agents in the summer.

Holmes could fill the hole at the backup center position that Black would leave. Adding him would give the Purple and Gold one of the most potent frontcourt rotations in the NBA with Holmes, Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and Ivica Zubac.

Philly might want to get more back for him, and I don’t blame them. The kid is good. But if they took this offer, it would be a steal for the Lakers.

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