A hypothetical blockbuster 3-team trade involves the Lakers, Grizzlies, and Nets
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, in this hypothetical blockbuster three-team trade, the Lakers would receive Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and four more players, while the Grizzlies and Nets would receive players and assets.
Lakers Receive: Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, John Konchar, Xavier Tillman Sr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Trade Exception ($10.5 million)
Grizzlies Receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Harry Giles III, 2029 First-Round Pick Top-10 Protected (LAL), Trade Exceptions ($8.3 million, $2.4 million, and $1.9 million)
Nets Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Trade Exceptions ($14 million, $2 million)
This trade would be incredibly difficult to execute and is unlikely to occur, but it is an excellent framework for a trade that will allow the Lakers to change their roster for the cost of one first-round choice. Other featured teams also make minor modifications that can benefit them in both the short and long future.
The Lakers Get Better By Flipping Most Of Their Roster
The Lakers will trade five players from their roster in exchange for five similarly rated guys who could help them this season. Marcus Smart is the major asset here, averaging 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game this season. Smart was brought in to keep the Grizzlies competitive during Ja Morant’s 25-game absence, but he couldn’t keep the team going without him. He has already sustained many injuries in Memphis and will be out for the next six weeks, making now an ideal moment for the Lakers to capitalize.
Kennard, known for his sharpshooting skills, has moved between NBA teams in recent seasons due to his inconsistent performance. In the current season, he has maintained an average of 8.6 points with a 41.3% accuracy from three-point range. The Lakers’ prolific shooters could significantly enhance his game, given their tendency to create open shots, even if they struggle to convert them. Another wing option for the Lakers is Konchar, and Tillman serves as a dependable backup big man.
A crucial addition to the team is Dorian Finney-Smith, who brings valuable experience to bolster the Lakers’ frontcourt defense. DFS is recognized for his reliability as a corner shooter, embodying the 3-and-D wing qualities that the Lakers are seeking. This season, he is contributing 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting an impressive 40.9% from three-point range. The Lakers have already expressed interest in acquiring him, anticipating a notable improvement in their team dynamics.
The Grizzlies Reset Their Roster For A Push Next Season
The Grizzlies find themselves in a relatively uneventful season, facing the prospect of, at best, a play-in tournament appearance without their star player, Ja Morant. Morant’s season-ending shoulder surgery has prompted the Grizzlies to view this year as an opportunity for a soft reset. Despite the challenges, they possess a high-lottery pick and the ability to retain key players like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., forming the core of a new roster for Morant’s eventual return.
Rui Hachimura, currently averaging 11.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in an unspecified role with the Lakers, could address the Grizzlies’ frontcourt depth issues as a versatile forward. Jaxson Hayes fills the need for a robust center, and Gabe Vincent offers a cost-effective alternative as a backup guard, comparable to Smart’s role. With these players on short-term contracts, the Grizzlies could potentially acquire additional assets through smaller deals and have the flexibility to move them as needed.
While Pincus suggests a protected 2029 pick that could become second-round picks if not conveyed, the recommendation is to make this pick unprotected. Given Smart’s previous accolades as a Defensive Player of the Year and the Grizzlies’ initial investment of two picks to acquire him, obtaining this, along with trade exceptions, provides the Grizzlies with the components for a significant future acquisition, especially after determining the position of their 2024 pick in the lottery.
The Nets Finally Get A Point Guard
Since trading Kyrie Irving last season, the Brooklyn Nets have been in search of a guard option other than Spencer Dinwiddie. While Dinwiddie excels as a scorer, the presence of pure scorers like Cam Thomas suggests that Dinwiddie may not be the ideal floor-setter the Nets require. D’Angelo Russell, with improved playmaking since his All-Star years with the Nets in the late 2010s, could fill this role effectively. A potential homecoming to reunite Russell with Dinwiddie might represent a strategic move for Brooklyn, enabling incremental steps back up the Eastern Conference standings.
Given the Nets’ lack of ownership of their pick this season, tanking to the bottom of the East holds no value for them. Acquiring Russell, who is on an affordable short-term contract, presents a favorable option. This move allows Russell to showcase his value on a team familiar with him, while the Nets can assess whether a combo guard like Russell can contribute to running the offense and make Mikal Bridges’ responsibilities more manageable. In a somewhat subdued season, Russell is currently averaging 14.7 points and 6.1 assists.
Jalen Hood-Schifino, a guard with high potential, finds himself in a situation with the Lakers where he cannot fully develop his game due to the team’s current timeline. The Lakers lack the on-court minutes necessary for his development. Thus, the Nets could take a chance on Hood-Schifino, exploring whether he can emerge as a long-term asset for their rebuilding franchise, which faces limitations in tanking as they don’t own many of their future picks.
Is This Trade Deal A Winner?
Eric Pincus meticulously crafted this deal, and despite its extensive complexity, it shouldn’t be considered a conventionally ‘expensive’ transaction. The Lakers are acquiring an injured Marcus Smart and Dorian Finney-Smith, neither of whom possesses the caliber of players like Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine. However, the trade does bring in more defense, shooting, and, optimistically, a better fit for the team than their current roster. Given the apparent negativity affecting the Lakers’ locker room this season, a refresh like this could be the remedy they need.
The Grizzlies might discover more value by retaining Smart and hoping for success in the upcoming season. Yet, orchestrating an on-court synergy with Morant, Smart, and Desmond Bane, particularly for an extended playoff run, seems challenging to navigate. Opting to part ways with Smart in a season they are essentially writing off, while accumulating assets for future deals, could be a astute move, enabling the Grizzlies to rebuild their roster after enduring two seasons of struggles.
The Nets hold Dorian Finney-Smith in high regard, and acquiring a player like D’Lo, coupled with a promising prospect like JHS, constitutes favorable value. Given the unlikely scenario of teams eagerly offering draft picks for the 31-year-old forward, pursuing a player like D’Lo, who can contribute immediately, along with a future asset like JHS, represents a commendable return for the Nets.
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