David Nwaba
The Brooklyn Nets receive: Jared Dudley
The Los Angeles Lakers receive: David Nwaba
A former Laker and a former Net going back to their respective teams, a bit cliche but hear me out.
While Jared Dudley has the potential to be a valued member of the Los Angeles Lakers roster, adding him to the roster has the potential to impede the minutes in which Kyle Kuzma could and should be getting.
With it looking increasingly likely that Kuzma will be part of the 2nd unit to open the season, it would make sense to add a player to the roster capable of playing minutes at the small forward position.
In David Nwaba the Los Angeles Lakers would be getting just that. Lakers Nation was able to see what Nwaba was able to do during the 2017 season. David Nwaba’s energy is infectious. He has a ridiculously high motor and is relentless in his pursuit of disrupting play.
While Nwaba has a very limited offensive game, he is very capable of finishing around the rim with his above-average athleticism. If he can add a jump shot, Nwaba will get paid.
Nwaba is the exact player you need during a long and arduous season. His ability to play 1 through 3 would allow for some of the veteran members of the team to rest during key points in the season.
Jared Dudley would offer the Brooklyn Nets a consistent shooter whilst Kevin Durant sits out the season with a torn Achilles. Dudley knows the Nets’ system and would seamlessly fit in with his old team.
I was a fan of the Dudley signing with the Lakers but as the roster is currently constructed, it makes significantly more sense for the purple and gold to tighten up their depth chart. Most teams, when it comes to the playoffs, run a seven or eight-man rotation.
With the likes of Davis, James, and Kuzma all capable of playing minutes at the power forward position, having a player like Dudley becomes more a luxury than a necessity.
Adding Nwaba to the mix gives the purple and gold a valuable defensive contributor who is hungry, knows his role and will provide energy to the bench unit that could swing a number of games for the Lakers.
While none of these trades are groundbreaking, the Lakers need to focus on adding essential pieces to the championship puzzle.
Players like Lillard, Devin Booker or Bradley Beal are going to fall into the Lakers laps. It is the small moves than can alter the fortunes of a franchise. Here is hoping that any player the Lakers can add to the roster brings them one step closer to a championship.