Los Angeles Lakers: Potential 2020 offseason blueprint
Los Angeles Lakers’ blueprint, step three: Trade Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green and a 1st round pick for Zach LaVine
The Los Angeles Lakers have been extremely lucky with their roster this season. They rebounded remarkably well after missing out on current NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in the Summer of 2019.
The Lakers team as currently constructed is capable of winning a title, but if teams like the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, or even the Boston Celtics make one or two moves roster wise to improve they could surpass the Lakers.
The margins right now for the purple and gold are fractional.
Moves need to be made for the Los Angeles Lakers to solidify their position as one of the elite teams in the league.
Landing Zach LaVine via trade could be the necessary move for the Lakers to win numerous titles.
Zach LaVine is possibly the perfect 3rd star to put beside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
LaVine is in a different tier of the star compared to Davis and LeBron, he would be coming into the Lakers organization fully understanding that he is the 3rd guy and will never be expected to be the leader of this team whilst Davis and LeBron are playing.
For a player that is averaging 25.5 PPG this season, LaVine’s contract at $19.5m is extremely team-friendly for a 3rd star and they would have him under contract for the next seasons.
Not to mention LaVine shoots a flaming hot 38% from the 3-point line, giving the Lakers not only a 25 PPG scorer but a potential flamethrower from deep.
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the team, LaVine is going to get significantly better shots in the flow of the offense. You can expect a significant amount of high flying dunks and alley-oops from LaVine.
LaVine also offers the purple and gold a secondary playmaker who can not only score when LeBron and Davis are off the floor but can assist at a decent rate and be the secondary playmaker when needed.
In Kyle Kuzma, the Chicago Bulls get an up and coming player on one of the best team-friendly contracts in the NBA. Kuzma needs a change of scenery, he is a 20PPG scorer waiting to happen but with AD stopping him from ever starting, coming off the bench is the best-case scenario for Kuzma.
In Chicago he has the chance to compete for the starting small forward and power spot.
Danny Green offers the Bulls veteran leadership, elite perimeter defense, and a blazing 3-point shooter from deep.
With Green’s contract expiring in the summer of 2021, The Bulls can shed up to $15m in salary in the summer of 2021 if they wish to part ways with Green.
They also land a 1st round pick from the Lakers which they can use to pad their roster with depth players or use as a trade piece.
With the drafting of Coby White, it does not seem as though the Bulls are dead set on LaVine as their guy moving forward. If they can shed cap long term, add some decent depth pieces and draft capital, and refocus their efforts for the 2021 offseason then they could rebuild quicker than most expected.
LaVine to the Lakers just sounds right. His mixture of shooting and highlight-reel dunks would have Staples on their feet.