2. Derrick Rose is a better fit on this team
Chris Paul may have been the better player last season and he might be the better point guard all-time. However, at the end of the day, Derrick Rose would be a better fit on this Los Angeles Lakers team, even if LeBron and Paul have one of the closest friendships in basketball.
The duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis is already good enough to win the title. And while that does not mean the Lakers should not look to improve, it does mean that the team does not have to force-fit a third all-star to the roster just to get that “big three”.
The Lakers don’t need a ball-dominant point guard that is going to play a lot of minutes. They need someone who can be ball-dominant when needed but does not need as big of a role to succeeed. They need someone to essentially replace Rajon Rondo, who will reportedly test the free-agent market this offseason.
That someone is Derrick Rose.
Rose could essentially serve as the Lakers’ sixth man, spending most of his time on the court when LeBron James is off the court. Frank Vogel loved to play Rondo and AD together while LeBron sat and Rose would essentially be a better version of that dyanmic.
He would also get some time with LeBron, as Rondo did, bringing the ball up the court and handling the facilitating to give LeBron a break in that regard.
The slash and kicks on this Lakers team with Derrick Rose at point would be absolutely beautiful. With shooters around him and two freakishly athletic superstars with size, Rose would become an even better point guard.
Paul could do a lot of the same things but he does demand more playing time to be successful and that just not what the Los Angeles Lakers need right now. Sometimes, less is more.