4. Keep Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma
Ball, Ingram, and Kuzma form the only trio of players who are 23 years or younger to average a combined 45 points per game this year.
Kuzma and Ingram are both averaging over 18 points per game and Ball is one of the best young passing and rebounding guards in the NBA.
Ingram and Ball will be All-NBA defenders once they hit their prime and Kuzma’s D has improved drastically from his first year to this season.
It would be incredibly short-sighted for Magic and Pelinka to trade the Lakers young core, but the foul reek from this season is growing worse by the day and now it’s flowing forth like the green stench my favorite cartoon skunk, Pepe le Pew, emits when he gets scared.
I could easily see Magic and Pelinka firing Luke first and then trading Ball, Ingram, and Kuzma for a player like Bradley Beal in one last sad attempt to save face and to hang onto their jobs. If the Lakers front office trades the young core in an attempt to “maximize” LeBron’s time with the Lakers it would be a HUGE mistake.
Rule No. 1 in the “NBA Front Office Guide to Running a Team,” states: Don’t trade good young players who work hard in the offseason, who never get into trouble, who take pride in playing defense, and who have All-Star potential.
The idea that the Lakers have to become championship contenders next year is crazy. It’s almost impossible to take a lottery team and transform it into a champion in one year.
The Lakers should look to improve next season and make a splash in the playoffs, but to trade away the young core at an attempt to win it all next season smacks of ego and desperation: Two things we don’t need here in LA.