For a long time, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has been among the most dangerous men in the NBA. With that said, there are efforts that a team can make to make him more dangerous. Traditionally, teams have put shooting around James.
If the floor around him is well-spaced, nobody can stop James. That’s what’s made his tenure with the Lakers so interesting. This front office has not prioritized floor spacing around James as other front offices did.
We can’t argue with the results – the Lakers are the 2019-20 NBA champions. Still, we wonder how successful they could have been by putting more shooting around James.
If they feel the same, they should make a move this season. James’ time is fleeting – he won’t be in the NBA forever. The Lakers have a title window, but it’s closing rapidly. It may be time to improve the floor spacing around James.
Could they add Doug McDermott of the San Antonio Spurs?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land San Antonio Spurs’ Doug McDermott
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Gabe Vincent, G/F Cam Reddish, 2024 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Doug McDermott
James won’t be around forever. So, we should take a moment to recognize him now. This is one of the best players in the history of the NBA.
In fact, some would even remove the words “one of” from that sentence. To some, James is the greatest of all time. He’s certainly got a case.
Others will say that James never surpassed Michael Jordan. Even then, some particularly old heads will tell you that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, or Bill Russell is “the GOAT.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Doug McDermott, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In the end, this is not a black-and-white issue. There is no single best player in the history of the league. Still, James is up there. His greatness cannot be denied. He’s one of the most gifted players to ever touch a basketball.
Should the Lakers pair him with McDermott?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Sure. There’s no question that the Lakers should add McDermott. He’s one of the best shooters in the NBA. James will benefit from the space he provides, and McDermott will feast on James’ gravity and floor vision.
Is McDermott worth the price that the Lakers are paying here? We think so. Vincent has been injured, but even when healthy, he wasn’t seeing the floor very often for this team.
Vincent was a sensible signing this summer, but the Lakers don’t need him as badly as they need McDermott. They don’t have a particularly pressing need for Reddish, either.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Doug McDermott, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
He’s struggled at every turn in the NBA, and he’s not exactly breaking out on the Lakers. In other words, the Lakers can spare a package like this one if they’re landing an elite shooter like McDermott.
Should the Spurs part with his floor spacing?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
James is on the NBA’s Mt. Rushmore. The Spurs are hoping that Victor Wembanyama will eventually join him there. In fact, Wembanyama is the most anticipated NBA prospect since James himself.
With that in mind, the Spurs have time to put their roster together. The Lakers have a shrinking title window, but the Spurs’ window isn’t even open yet. So, they can take a risk on a player like Reddish. No, he hasn’t delivered at the NBA level yet. He’s still young enough to improve.
Meanwhile, even if he doesn’t, this is a minimal cost for a player like McDermott. He’s a somewhat one-dimensional specialist who isn’t likely to net them an unprotected first.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Doug McDermott, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
With that in mind, a pair of second-rounders doesn’t hurt San Antonio either. Who knows? They may be able to unearth a talented player in the backend of the draft. As long as they’re not expecting a player on James’ level that is – those expectations should be reserved for one player on this roster.
