The Los Angeles Lakers were pretty active ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline when talking to other teams about potential deals. Unfortunately for them, nothing came to fruition and they continued their slide down the standings, eventually missing the NBA Play-In Tournament and postseason altogether.
This offseason, the front office will get to work trying to reshape and improve the roster. This year’s group of players was mismatched and ill-fitting. Why Rob Pelinka decided to change the formula of how to build a team around LeBron James is anyone’s guess, but his risks did not pay off.
There aren’t many avenues for the Lakers to go when it comes to upgrading the team. Russell Westbrook isn’t going to land any impact players, but he could bring back some rotation players. But, they will likely be on longer-term deals that teams are looking to get out from under. Anthony Davis would certainly restock the roster and draft capital, but if they want to compete next season, having him alongside James is their best chance.
Given the lack of assets, finding a deal could prove difficult. But, they could always revisit the framework of a deal that was discussed ahead of the deadline with the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Trade Packages To Send Terry Rozier To Los Angeles Lakers
One of the players that were reportedly involved in that deal and heading to Los Angeles was Cam Reddish. Reddish is the exact type of player that the Los Angeles Lakers need to be targeting this offseason to upgrade the team immediately and also improve the future outlook as well.
Reddish’s skill set would fit perfectly around James and Davis. He has the size and length standing 6’8” with a 7’1” wingspan to be a menace defensively. Reddish can be a problem in the passing lanes and that length makes it very hard to shoot the ball over him.
Offensively, Reddish was lauded for his jump shot coming into the league. While he hasn’t found it consistently, he was making 37.9 percent of his 3-point attempts with the Atlanta Hawks this season before being traded to the New York Knicks.
The potential is there, Cam Reddish just needs a chance to realize it. He was beginning to get extended playing time with the New York Knicks and looked good before a shoulder injury cut his season short. With the Lakers, he could be looking at a significant, similar to what Malik Monk played this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Trade Packages To Send Terry Rozier To Los Angeles Lakers
Monk was a former lottery pick that wasn’t able to consistently find his footing early in his career, much in the same way Reddish hasn’t been able to. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers because of their veteran leadership and playing time that was available and made the most of it.
Reddish could follow a similar path should he land in Los Angeles. He would get to learn from one of the best players of all time in James and have a consistent role as there are minutes up for grabs, especially with a new head coach coming to town.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Trade Packages To Send Terry Rozier To Los Angeles Lakers
What Reddish did in the 2021 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks is what has teams salivating over his potential. He was great on both ends of the floor, playing energized defense with an efficient showing on offense. Reddish went 9-of-14 from the 3-point line, averaging 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 23 minutes per game.
That is what will keep teams coming back when it comes to Cam Reddish. There is immense talent there, a coaching staff just has to coax it out of him more consistently.
