Lakers: Grading LA's Trade Deadline, Predicting How New Pieces Will Contribute to Playoff Push
The Los Angeles Lakers were as active as anyone this NBA trade deadline. A few weeks ago, they kicked it off by adding 6-foot-8 forward Rui Hachimura. Then, Wednesday night, they made a massive three-team deal that brought D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to LA, and finally brought an end to the Russell Westbrook experiment.
But on Thursday, they were far from done.
The Lakers agreed to two more moves — the first one sending Thomas Bryant to the Denver Nuggets for Davon Reed and three second-round picks; and the second one trading Patrick Beverley and second-round picks to the Orlando Magic for Mo Bamba.
As of now, the Lakers' roster looks much different than it did a few days ago, and it's impossible to argue that they didn't improve.
The only question is, did they improve enough to be considered a true NBA Finals contender in the very crowded Western Conference? With that, we go to our All Lakers experts to hear their thoughts on the two newest trades (you can read our grades on Hachimura here and Wednesday night's three-team deal here), and the Lakers' overall chances as a whole.
1. Let's start with the first move of the day involving Thomas Bryant. How do you grade that trade for both sides?
Noah: In the moment, the move looked a little weird. However, I had a feeling it would lead to another move, and it did. Also, Bryant reportedly wanted out because his role had diminished and he's looking to get paid this offseason.
For the Nuggets, they got really good value here, and added a great floor-spacing big who will help an already loaded roster.
Lakers: B+, Nuggets: A-
Alex: LA replenished its cupboard when it comes to draft assets, getting back three second-round picks in the deal, and now that we know what the team's new frontcourt looks like, I think it was a perfectly fine deal for a player they clearly didn't expect to keep in free agency this year. That said, Bryant is the one Laker moved this season that I'll miss. His energy around the rim on offense, coupled with his ability to nail the occasional three-point, made LA's AD-free doldrums a lot more fun.
Denver absolutely needed to make an upgrade at this backup center position. Bryant is on a total steal of a deal this season.
Lakers: B, Nuggets: B+
2. Now onto the Beverley-Bamba swap, how do you grade that move for each side?
Alex: This was a surprise. After the Bryant trade, I figured the Lakers were going to settle into a four-man big rotation of LeBron James and Anthony Davis starting at the four and five, new addition Jarred Vanderbilt becoming the third bench big, and Wenyen Gabriel and occasionally Rui Hachimura sliding in as dictated by matchups.
Instead, LA is now investing a combined $14.6 million on its two primary backup bigs, Bamba and Vanderbilt. Bamba is on a non-guaranteed deal for 2023-24, so LA can move on if it so chooses. One could argue that the Lakers needed more help along the wing defensively than they did at center or power forward after Vanderbilt was added, but talent-wise this is a high-upside pickup as a mobile 3-and-D center who can protect the rim, and he should slot in nicely.
Orlando must value Jonathan Isaac over Bamba (also Bamba's just on a much, much more tradable deal). The Magic had to make some kind of move to free up space in a clogged frontcourt, and at this point that second-round draft pick had okay value to add for Bamba.
Lakers: B, Magic: B
Noah: I really like the move for the Lakers. They finally got rid of Beverley, which means no more three-guard lineups and no more Beverley in the starting lineup. The Lakers needed a backup big with Bryant gone, and Bamba upgrades the defense and can still stretch the floor (he's shooting nearly 40 percent from deep this season).
The move doesn't make a ton of sense for me on the Orlando side, as I thought Bamba's value would be higher. But they were able to recoup some draft compensation for someone they clearly wanted to move on from.
Lakers: B+, Magic: B-
3. Between all four moves the Lakers made over the last few weeks, how do you grade their trade deadline? And what do you think is the team's floor and ceiling?
Noah: While the Lakers didn't make the biggest move of the deadline, I think they were easily one of the biggest winners. Rob Pelinka and co. upgraded every part of the roster that needed help, and did so by only trading one protected first-round pick. This Lakers roster has a serious shot to compete in the Western Conference, which at this point in the year, is completely wide open.
I think the Lakers' floor is making and winning in the Play-In Tournament to secure a playoff spot. And I think their ceiling is competing for a spot in the Western Conference Finals. If the buyout market falls their way, it could get even better.
Lakers' Trade Deadline Grade: A- (but very, very close to an A)
Alex: LA's two best players get injured a ton. Yes, the team's new depth is exciting, but if James and Davis miss extended time in a bunched-up West, the Lakers could totally still miss the play-in tournament.
Assuming that the club's dynamic duo proves mostly healthy down the stretch and that guys gel as maximally as possible (finally they've been surrounded with shooters again!), I'd say their ceiling is a second-round playoff exit. It's hard to see this LA club winning a playoff series against the new-look Phoenix Suns, Thomas Bryant's Denver Nuggets, or the Memphis Grizzlies. The LA Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are lurking, too, but I think the Purple and Gold could handle itself reasonably well against those two clubs should its two superstars stay healthy-ish. All that said, Rob Pelinka had a shockingly good and active trade deadline, while still preserving some future flexibility by holding onto one of its much-coveted two future firsts.
Lakers' Trade Deadline Grade: B+
4. Of all the trades the team made, which addition are you most excited about? And who do you think will make the biggest impact in their role?
Alex: Is it weird that I'm super pumped for Mo Bamba? He's a smidge overpaid as a backup big, but he's also really fun modern big, and his offensive versatility and defensive skillset are a pretty darn potent combination for the Lakers.
That said, three-point shooting all across the board was the Lakers' hugest need, so the additions of Bamba, D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Rui Hachimura will go a long way towards making this team make some actual basketball sense again. Beasley and Russell are two high-volume three-point shooters, and will probably be the most important additions. If I have to pick just one, I'll go with Russell, enjoying a career year in offensive efficiency. D-Lo finally seemed amenable to playing more off the ball during his last few months in Minnesota, deferring to the team's best player, Anthony Edwards. If he carries that over, LA will love his second tenure in town.
Noah: I'm most excited for the addition of D'Angelo Russell, as he's going to make the greatest impact as a scorer. I'm also excited to watch the Lakers play with a true scoring point guard next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and see how much it opens their offense up.
As for who will make the biggest impact in their role, I think Malik Beasley is going to surprise a lot of people. The Lakers are going to rely on him to shoot threes, and he's going to fill that role perfectly. I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up five to eight threes per game, as he provides a huge scoring threat to the offense.
5. And finally, we're talking about the Lakers, so it's always somewhat of a championship or bust mentality, especially when they're led by a 38-year-old LeBron James. Is this team good enough to win the NBA Finals this season?
Noah: Are they good enough? Yes. Are they better than other teams in the West like the Suns or Nuggets? No. However, I do think this team could make a deep run in the playoffs, and if they're shooting lights out, they'll be able to compete with anyone in a seven-game series.
Alex: Unless Anthony Davis can stay healthy for more than three weeks at a time, I'm going to say LA doesn't have a prayer to win anything this year (and the team should seriously consider trading him in the offseason). But they'll finally be a good playoff also-ran. There's no shame in that, considering what we've had to put up with for the past year-and-a-half.
