How This Trade Impacts Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled at times on both ends of the court. Russell Westbrook’s fit offensively has been an awkward one as many thought it would be. Unless they are going to blow it up and find a new team for Westbrook to play on, adding to the fringes to improve is the course of action they will take.
The biggest concern for the Lakers right now is their defense. It is what helped them win the title in the Orlando Bubble in 2020 and despite their struggles last season, they still finished first in defensive rating. That has not been the case this season, as they are missing the impact of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma, two versatile defenders.
In this deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers begin righting a wrong. Kenrich Williams would help replace some of what they lost given his versatility on the defensive end of the court.
Standing 6’6” and weighing 210 pounds, Williams is capable of defending both forward spots. He is athletic enough to defend most wing players as well and in a pinch can slow down some guards. Los Angeles is lacking versatile defenders like that outside of Talen Horton-Tucker.
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Williams has also shown that he can provide some floor spacing, something the Lakers cannot get enough of. He made 44.4 percent of his attempts last season and could benefit from being surrounded by some better talent to bounce back this season.
The Lakers would be able to absorb his contract into the trade exception that was created from the Marc Gasol deal before the season. Trading away draft capital isn’t something they will be worried about as they are all in on trying to win another championship.
