The Los Angeles Lakers made a frenzy of moves at the start of the 2023 offseason that brought the roster count up to 13 players. Since then, fans have patiently waited for the Lake Show to add at least one more player for the 2023-24 season.
Los Angeles has not made any additions to the NBA club as we head into Labor Day Weekend but the team has made changes to the South Bay Lakers.
South Bay completed a three-team G League trade for the player rights to Chaundee Brown, Devontae Cacok, Micah Potter and Jay Scrubb. South Bay also got a 2024 second-round pick in the G League draft. Javante McCoy is being traded some South Bay to Austin and Trevelin Queen is being traded from South Bay to Osceola as part of the deal.
OFFICIAL: The #SBLakers have acquired returning player rights to Chaundee Brown Jr, and a 2024 2nd round pick from the @austin_spurs, as well as the returning player rights to Devontae Cacok, Micah Potter & Jay Scrubb from the @OsceolaMagic.
— South Bay Lakers (@SouthBayLakers) September 2, 2023
Brown and Cacok are familiar faces for Lakers fans as they previously spent time in South Bay. Cacok has played 21 games at the NBA level for the Lakers while Brown has played two games.
This small G League trade could end up being a home run for the Lakers
In most cases, a trade like this that includes players who have been stuck in the G League doesn’t typically amount to much. But the fact that it is the Lakers makes it a different story. Los Angeles has been one of the best teams in the league in scouting talent and developing that talent into legitimate NBA rotation players.
Cacok and Brown have potential and they showcased that in their previous stints with South Bay. Brown is a solid defensive player and Cacok could provide the frontcourt depth that LA needs, assuming the team is able to unlock something in his game.
It isn’t just the familiar faces that give this trade potential, it is the new players that are being added to the fold as well. Potter is a floor-spacing big man, which is exactly what the Lakers are looking for at the NBA level. Potter is yet to prove himself at the NBA level but the 25-year-old is a career 43% three-point shooter in 50 G League games.
That is exactly what the Lake Show is looking for.
In addition to Potter’s potential, Scrubb, who is a former Clipper, has a lot of potential as well. Scrubb has played in only 24 NBA games and there is not much to write home about. However, his G League numbers jump off the page. In 28 games last season, Scrubb averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He is still only 23 years old.
If just one of these players ends up hitting and becoming an NBA rotation player then it will be a huge win for the Lake Show. Knowing LA’s history of developing players, there is a decent chance that it will happen.