In conclusion, the Los Angeles Lakers can benefit from the Rockets’ situation
The Rockets remain competitive by surrounding Harden with shooters and defenders whilst also giving them depth on the bench.
- PG Harden
- SG KCP
- SF Green
- PF Covington
- C Tucker
A line-up that sees the ball remaining in Harden’s hand uninterrupted to do exactly what he wants, shoot.
He also has a bunch of players who are battle-tested, experienced, and who can drain 3-pointers all over the floor and defend multiple positions, a huge bonus for a small-ball team. They add a capable center that allows them to play different line ups as well. Another bonus.
And most importantly, they rid themselves of Westbrook’s huge contract. The cherry on top.
They finally put a team around Harden that covers all of his defensive limitations. KCP and Green, excellent spot-up shooters and good perimeter defenders PJ Tucker, elite corner 3-point shooter, tough interior defender Robert Covington, bad 3-point shooter but an elite defender.
The Rockets can put themselves in a position with further trades to clear even more cap space and virtually have an empty roster to put pieces around Harden long term.
The Rockets lose a star but also put themselves in a better position to win.
The Lakers lose depth but they are capable of replacing them with either current players.
- JaVale McGee (Markieff Morris and Dwight Howard)
- Rajon Rondo (Russell Westbrook, Avery Bradley and Quinn Cook)
- Danny Green (J.R Smith and Talen Horton-Tucker)
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Dion Waiters and Alex Caruso)
Or they are capable of targeting ring chasers who might take a pay cut for a year to be on a contender.
- JaVale McGee (DeMarcus Cousins or Tristan Thompson)
- Danny Green ( Trevor Ariza or Joe Harris)
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Evan Turner, Kent Bazemore or Jordan Clarkson)
The Los Angeles Lakers extend their championship window and put together a formidable big 3 that will rival any in recent NBA history.
They allow LeBron to not go full revenge season the next few years and lighten the load. They add a 25+PPG scorer who if he plays his role could be elite once again. They keep their core trade pieces and rotation players in Alex Caruso, Avery Bradley, Kyle Kuzma, and Talen Horton-Tucker. They also get to keep their draft pick.
They potentially improve their team by landing ring chasers who will want to play with a big 3.
If DeMarcus Cousins comes back to the Los Angeles Lakers after sitting out the season injured, the Lakers could have a potential fantastic four that could be near impossible to beat.
This trade for the Lakers is all about dealing with the pending big three’s that will be formed in the East and West.
Golden State will trade for a star using the 2nd overall pick and Andrew Wiggins contract.
The Brooklyn Nets are all-in on finding a 3rd Superstar to the line-up to allow them to dominate the east with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and a 3rd huge star.
If the Lakers remain idle and stick with the team they have, they have a chance to compete next season but winning against these other juggernauts will be a huge ask.
Taking a chance on Westbrook to find his form and help the Lakers overcome these teams moving forward is worth the risk.
The goal should be, extend the window, fight the super-teams, and win rings.
This trade for the purple and gold brings them a lot closer to doing all three.