Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players the organization should not trade

3. Alex Caruso

The Los Angeles Lakers could use another ball-handler on the roster. To acquire one, they should not include their best backup point guard in Alex Caruso.

Caruso’s stat line isn’t eye-popping, as he is averaging 5.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He is making only 40.2 percent of his shots from the field and 34.1 percent from the 3-point line, but he brings a lot to the table for the Lakers. He does a lot for the team that doesn’t show up in the box score that helps the team win games.

For a team that struggles at times to remained engaged defensively, the Lakers cannot afford to trade Caruso. Caruso has a defensive rating of 99.2, which is best on the team. The next closest person who plays at least 15 minutes per game is LeBron James at 103.2.

Not only is Caruso the best-rated defender on Los Angeles, but that number also ranks third in the entire league. Only Donte DiVincenzo and Giannis Antetkounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks have better defensive ratings at 97.6 and 98.6.

While he does have his offensive shortcomings, Caruso is playing defense at an elite level this season. Replacing that would be difficult, as teams aren’t offering up many great perimeter defenders on the trade block.