Los Angeles Lakers: Three post draft lottery trade scenarios
The Los Angeles Lakers trade LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma to the New Orleans Pelicans for the #1 pick and Jrue Holiday.
The Pelicans would be crazy to trade Zion Williamson to the Lakers. Or would they? He’s the best draft prospect since New Orleans’ very own Anthony Davis. He’s 275 lbs. and moves like a shooting guard. He could become the most devastating physical force the NBA has seen since Shaq faded from his prime.
The Pelicans landed AD with the No. 1 pick seven years ago and during that span he’s helped New Orleans make it to the playoffs twice, playing in a grand total of 13 postseason games. Who’s to say Zion wouldn’t suffer the same fate as the “Brow” wilting away in a desert devoid of the nourishing help every young player needs.
Even after considering the poo-poo platter the Pelicans have served their fans during the last seven seasons that Anthony Davis has been on the team, they should still keep their No. 1 pick because Zion is going to be a superstar. That is unless Zion makes it clear that he absolutely hates Mardi Gras, and that he’ll go back to Duke before playing for New Orleans. If that’s the case, then the Pelicans should trade Zion Williamson and Jrue Holiday for LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma.
With James and Kuz on board, AD would almost certainly re-sign with New Orleans forming the best frontcourt in the NBA and guaranteeing the Pelicans a top-5 seed in the west for the foreseeable future.
New Orleans would hate to give up Jrue Holiday, but the trade math doesn’t work without him, so he’d come over to the Lakers along with Zion, giving the Lakers the best young core of players in the NBA. The Lakers could then pick De’Andre Hunter with their 4th pick.
After the Lakers traded LeBron and signed Zion and Hunter, they’d still have room to sign a max free agent. With Jrue and Zion on the team would that be enough to entice Kawhi to join the Purple and Gold? Yes, it would.
The Lakers core group of players would be much better than the Clippers, but Kawhi would still be THE GUY on the Purple and Gold (which he craves) because Zion would need at least four years in the NBA to overtake Leonard as the best player on the Lakers.
If the Lakers traded LeBron and Kuzma to the Pelicans for Holiday and Zion, and then Kawhi Leonard signed with the Purple and Gold, LA would trot out this lineup next season:
Starters:
- Jrue Holiday
- Lonzo Ball
- Brandon Ingram
- Kawhi Leonard
- Zion Williamson
Bench:
- Alex Caruso
- Josh Hart
- De’Andre Hunter
- Moritz Wagner
With Frank Vogel’s defensive aptitude and with the length and speed of the Lakers starting lineup, the Purple and Gold would have the best defense in the league to go along with a very potent offense guided by Leonard, Zion, and Ingram.
If this scenario played out the Lakers would be the best team in the league next season and for many years after.