The Los Angeles Lakers need to make changes as soon as possible or risk falling out of the playoff race. With a poor 22-23 record, a 17th-ranked offense, and a 16th-ranked defense, the Lakers are a middle-of-the-pack side at best and that won’t be enough considering LeBron James (24.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 7.4 APG) is 39 years old and in the twilight of his career. Along with Anthony Davis playing like an All-Star (24.9 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.4 BPG), the Lakers are not where they need to be and are heavily in the trade market right now.
While some fascinating trade deals could be on the table, if panic sets in, the Lakers need to completely avoid five players on the trading block. We have already seen Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby get traded while a player like Terry Rozier would have been a perfect fit. None of these players are available anymore and as panic sets in, these five players absolutely do not fit and must be avoided even if it seems the Lakers’ options are slowly running out.
Jordan Clarkson
When considering the potential acquisition of Jordan Clarkson by the Los Angeles Lakers, a former player for them, certain factors suggest that the move may not be the most strategic decision for the team. While the 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year Clarkson is undeniably a good player with scoring prowess, there are aspects that raise concerns about the value he brings to the Lakers.
Firstly, Clarkson’s playing style doesn’t align with the Lakers’ need for a playmaker. Comparing his stats to D’Angelo Russell, the difference in scoring (averaging only 2.0 points more per game) may not justify trading valuable assets, especially considering that Clarkson is not known for his playmaking abilities and is averaging 15.5 shot attempts per game on 42.0% from the field and 31.8% from three.
At nearly 32 years old, Clarkson’s age is another factor to consider. The Lakers, with a focus on building for the future, might be hesitant to invest in a player who is entering the latter stages of his career. Additionally, his heavy usage playing style raises questions about how well he would fit into the Lakers’ offensive scheme, especially alongside stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Clarkson’s defensive capabilities are not a strong suit, and at this stage in his career, he may not contribute significantly to the defensive end. Moreover, his best-suited role is often seen as a sixth man, raising the question of whether the Lakers should trade valuable assets for a player who might be better suited coming off the bench.
Spencer Dinwiddie
Before the upcoming February trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers should exercise caution when considering Spencer Dinwiddie as their new point guard. Firstly, in comparison to D’Angelo Russell, Dinwiddie falls short in playmaking, a crucial aspect for a team led by LeBron James. Russell’s playmaking abilities surpass Dinwiddie’s, making him a more suitable candidate for facilitating the offense and complementing the Lakers’ star players.
Moreover, Dinwiddie’s age is a concern. Approaching 31 years old, he may not align with the Lakers’ focus on building for the future, especially considering the potential long-term effects of the acquisition. Even the stats raise red flags. While Dinwiddie has started all 41 games in the current season, his output, averaging 13.2 points and 6.0 assists per game in 30.8 minutes, may not meet the expectations of a team contending for a championship.
Furthermore, Dinwiddie’s shooting performance is a potential stumbling block. With a career three-point shooting percentage of 33.3%, and the same figure in the current season, he falls short of the shooting proficiency required to complement LeBron James. The Lakers have already experienced challenges with a point guard who struggles with shooting, as evident in the Russell Westbrook experiment.
Tyus Jones
While having a solid season as a full-time starter for the Washington Wizards, Tyus Jones is not the answer. One notable concern is the possibility that the Lakers will have to trade a 2029 pick to acquire Tyus Jones. The Wizards are rebuilding and will want at least a first-round pick for their current starting point guard.
Speaking of starting, Jones has spent the majority of his career as a backup and has only recently become a full-time starter for the Wizards in the current season, starting all 43 games. He has only started 96 games over eight seasons in his career before that. While his numbers are decent, with averages of 12.4 points and 6.0 assists per game, they may not meet the expectations of a Lakers team with very bright lights that can affect players.
One positive aspect of Jones’ game is his three-point shooting, boasting a 42.1% success rate in the current season. However, his size, standing at 6’1″ and 196 lbs, could be a limiting factor, especially in matchups against larger and more physical opponents. While Jones’ tenacity and shooting could be useful for the Lakers, he isn’t an upgrade over D’Angelo Russell.
Gary Trent Jr.
Gary Trent Jr. is a solid player but he is not worth the price that the rebuilding Toronto Raptors have placed on him since they are in the business of acquiring young talent and picks right now. The Lakers would have to consider sending either Austin Reaves or D’Angelo Russell in the trade. This raises questions about whether Trent represents a clear improvement over either of these players and quite frankly, he is not an upgrade.
Considering Trent’s performance this season, averaging under 12 points per game and not contributing significantly in other areas besides outside shooting, it becomes debatable whether the trade is worthwhile. Trent’s three-point shooting, at 41.7%, is a notable positive aspect, addressing the Lakers’ need for perimeter shooting. However, the Lakers will not take better shooting on board for a less valuable all-around player.
Moreover, Trent’s limited playing time this season, with only 25.8 minutes per game, suggests that he may be best suited as a bench player rather than a starter. Los Angeles needs fresh blood in the starting lineup and Trent Jr. might follow the mold of other sharpshooters who could not get it going in a Lakers uniform, an example being Malik Beasley who is shooting a scintillating 46.9% from three this season after leaving the Lakers. In other words, the risk is too high with Trent Jr.
Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes is a familiar name around the NBA but there are notable concerns that may outweigh the potential benefits of acquiring him. Barnes, while experienced and a good defender, does not fit with the current roster. One significant issue is Barnes’ fit alongside LeBron James. The Lakers already have Rui Hachimura who is a forward who was relegated to the bench due to fit, and accommodating Barnes may require moving James to power forward.
Barnes’ performance has shown a decline since his days with the championship Warriors, and his numbers are down, particularly in three-point attempts (only 4.4 per game). This lack of prolific three-point shooting could limit the Lakers’ ability to spread the floor effectively, and his 11.1 points per game average isn’t that impressive considering the money he is making.
At almost 32 years old, Barnes’ age is another factor to consider. With a salary of $17,000,000 this season and escalating to $18,000,000 and $19,000,000 in the next two seasons, the financial commitment is substantial and the Lakers do not need more contract problems. While Harrison Barnes brings defensive skills and experience, the potential fit alongside LeBron James, the decline in performance, and financial commitment make the trade too risky for the Lakers.
