Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal

The Los Angeles Lakers will hope this trade is a case of addition by subtraction for them. On paper, they get less talented. On the basketball court, they may get more functional.

There is a time-tested formula for building around LeBron James. Surround him with floor spacing, give him the basketball and let him cook. Following this deal, he’d resume his position as the Lakers’ head chef.

Luke Kennard is a particularly great addition to this club. He’s developed into one of the most consistent floor-spacers in the league. Meanwhile, Reggie Jackson can replicate some of Westbrook’s ability to attack the basket while also spacing the floor for James. Finally, Morris provides some toughness and frontcourt spacing that this team lacked last season.

Typically, contending teams don’t like to downgrade in terms of pure talent. These Lakers may be an exception. Having won 33 games last season, calling them “contenders” in the first place grants them a tremendously large benefit of the doubt.

With that said, they’re only two seasons removed from an NBA championship. Following this trade, they’d much more closely resemble the team that went all the way.