LA to LA: 3 ways a LaMarcus Aldridge trade could help the Lakers
Important third scorer
While the Los Angeles Lakers were dominant on both ends of the floor during the playoffs, they were exposed to a certain extent by the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
While LeBron James and Anthony Davis both put up amazing stat lines, they at times, really had to work for their baskets.
AD was forced to take the ball much further from the basket than he usually does and was forced to make jump shots for much of the series.
LeBron wasn’t getting the ball at the elbow as Butler and the numerous wings Miami has pressured him.
He also wasn’t getting into the paint with the same frequency as the Heat converged in on him with their smaller lineup and made life difficult.
When the Laker’s superstars weren’t rolling, it was left for the role players to come in and get buckets.
To a certain extent, the Lakers role players did that. They were excellent in game 6 of the NBA Finals, but at times, when the purple and gold needed them most, they couldn’t score consistently.
If the Lakers can find a way to land a 3rd scorer who will command respect from the other team, then that should be a very high priority for the purple and gold.
While LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t the young player he once was, he is still capable of being a very dangerous player on a night to night basis and someone who will put up points easily with his ageless back to the basket skill set.
Pairing AD and LA would be a match made in heaven.
With both players capable of dominating down low and stepping out to the 3-point line, it keeps the opposing team’s defense a lot more honest knowing that a player such as AD and Aldridge compared to Dwight Howard or JaVale McGee will force the team’s big man to follow them out to the 3 point line, creating more space for the purple and gold to maneuver and allows for significantly better floor spacing.
Having averaged 18.9PPG last season and shooting a scorching 38.9% from the 3-point line, Aldridge would add a new level to the Lakers game.