Every NBA career isn’t the same. Some players have star potential that they don’t live up to in the end. At some point, enough is enough – we’ve got to conclude that they’re never going to reach stardom.
Take Christian Wood of the Los Angeles Lakers. During his tenure with the Houston Rockets, some had penciled him in for multiple All-Star teams.
It hasn’t happened. By now, Wood is falling out of the Lakers’ rotation. By contrast, some NBA players reach stardom – only to abandon it.
Look at Kevin Love of the Miami Heat. He was once a star, but those days are gone. Still, Love has managed to reinvent himself as a useful role player.
Could the Lakers send Wood to the Heat to acquire him?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land Miami Heat’s Kevin Love
Miami Heat Receive: F/C Christian Wood, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F/C Kevin Love
What happened with Wood? There are multiple explanations. Questions have been raised about his mentality at virtually every stop of his NBA career.
At the same time, there are basketball reasons why his career has suffered as well. Wood is a poor defender. He’s also prone to tunnel vision on offense.
Wood seems to insist on commanding a larger chunk of the offense than his skill dictates. This is a talented offensive player, but he can’t seem to find – or accept – his role.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Love, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
That hasn’t been a problem for Love. He’s also a subpar defender, but he’s stuck in NBA rotations by being a good shooter and a smart passer. Love’s usage has decreased as he’s aged, but he’s still a productive player.
Should the Heat give him up?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Arguably, the Heat have bigger fish to fry than this. They were heavily linked to Damian Lillard this summer. It felt like a foregone conclusion.
Lillard wanted to join the Heat – surely the interest was mutual? We’ll never know. With that said, it never felt like Miami had the assets to acquire Lillard.
Granted, a pair of second-round picks doesn’t move the needle much. Still, some additional assets won’t hurt their next chase for a star. Meanwhile, Wood is younger than Love.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Love, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Miami is known for its culture. If they can draw some improved defensive effort out of Wood, he could be just as productive as Love.
Should the Lakers part with him?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Wood hasn’t curried much favor in Los Angeles. That shouldn’t be a problem for Love. He won an MVP championship alongside LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Their preexisting chemistry ought to work in the Lakers’ favor. Of course, his superior play won’t hurt either. Love is a fantastic connective passer and an even better outlet passer.
He’s still a presence on the glass. Love is also a more reliable floor spacer than Wood. In simple terms, he’s a better player.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Love, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
He should be worth a pair of second-rounders. Sure, he’s nearing retirement. He’s still a player that’s already proven to complement James. A reunion may be exactly what Love’s career needs.
