2. It prevents the Brooklyn Nets from signing him
The Brooklyn Nets are working on that buyout of Jordan and would happily bring in LaMarcus Aldridge on a minimum deal to replace him. As mentioned, Aldridge is the more versatile player and is the better player at this stage in their careers.
Again, Jordan would still be a net-positive for the Lakers but the Nets would be walking away with the better of the two players. A bench role player is not going to make or break the Nets’ season, but it can make a difference when it matters most.
The Nets are the most likely NBA Finals opponent for the Los Angeles Lakers and they are the only team that has more starpower than the Lakers. The Nets are already going to be a tough out in a seven-game series with the one big advantage for the Lakers being the rotation depth.
If the Lakers can make a signing that not only makes them even deeper than they already are but can also keep the Nets from getting deeper then it is a massive win-win for the team.
Role players absolutely can swing playoff games which in turn, can swing a playoff series. The production of the superstars is going to be the most impactful factor but we should not overlook the kind of impact Aldridge and other role players can have off the bench.
The entire goal for the Los Angeles Lakers is to get better and to put themselves ahead of teams like the Nets. This helps them achieve that goal.