Making the Case: Los Angeles Lakers

Like we said, depth and youth motivate the Los Angeles Lakers here. They’ll be hoping that some addition-by-subtraction is at play after making this deal.

It definitely feels like a possibility. P.J. Washington is a particularly solid acquisition for this club. He’s a combo big who’s capable of anchoring small-ball lineups as a 5. Those looks may actually serve to maximize Russell Westbrook, who thrives within a fully-spaced offense.

Meanwhile, Gordon Hayward is still a dependable NBA contributor. He’ll make sense for this squad as a secondary playmaker behind Westbrook and LeBron James, and he spaces the floor for those two when he doesn’t have the ball.

Finally, Bouknight and two first-round picks may seem like an odd acquisition for a win-now team. Consider this a bet that an injection of youth would help the Lakers.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trades To Send Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis To Charlotte Hornets

Last season, they were the oldest team in the NBA. We all saw how that worked out. With that said, is Davis worth all the youth the Hornets are parting with here?