Grade the trade: Lakers pull off a 2-for-1 with Celtics in proposed package
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers are going to do whatever it takes to maximize the roster for the 2023-24 season, even if that means making trades that the fanbase was not expecting.
Nothing should be off the table for the Lake Show, including a trade with the team’s heated rivals, the Boston Celtics. The two sides have done business three times via trade and if the price is right, they should not hesitate to make a fourth trade.
The Lakers and Celtics have certain goals that may call them to each other
Both Los Angeles and Boston are attempting to build a roster that is good enough to win a championship in 2024. After all, whichever of the two franchises wins a title first will take the solo lead for the most championships in NBA history.
The Lakers, while maintaining depth, would benefit from bringing in someone who can step up and be the third or fourth (if Austin Reaves stays) best player in a playoff series. Los Angeles missed that one impact player to turn to in the playoffs against Denver.
Boston, meanwhile, may look to turn one player into multiple players after the depth slightly took a hit in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. If the Celtics could flip one of the team’s rotation players for multiple viable rotation players then it could create a situation in which the whole equals more than the sum of the parts.
Jack Simone over on Hardwood Houdini recently proposed several trade packages for the Celtics that would accomplish just that and in his article, he proposed a potential deal with the Lakers. Let’s dive into the deal that Simone proposed for the purple and gold and discuss whether or not it makes sense.