At this stage in the NBA season, the league’s hierarchy is beginning to solidify. The title contenders are established. For some teams, the only way to join those ranks is to trade significantly.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of those teams. They’ve been disappointing in 2023-24. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster, there’s a temptation to treat the Lakers as contenders. Still, their place in the Western Conference standings suggests differently.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are only one spot ahead of them in the standings. They’ve been better than the Lakers, but the Mavericks don’t look like true contenders.
Could they fix that by sending Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Lakers?
NBA Trade Proposal
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F Rui Hachimura, F/C Jaxson Hayes
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr.
At the beginning of the season, each of these teams looked like serious title contenders. There was an assumption that they’d both be in the mix. After all, each of these teams has elite top-end talent.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Typically, a star duo is the key ingredient for building an NBA contender. What’s been different for the Lakers and Mavericks?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tim Hardaway Jr, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Well, either of these teams could have put a better roster around their star duos. Both the Lakers and Mavericks lack depth and are the ideal role players to complement their stars.
Does this deal give the Mavericks a better roster?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
It’s a tough call. Some will suggest that Dallas is sacrificing too much on the offensive end in this deal. To be sure, they’ll miss Hardaway Jr.’s floor spacing.
At the same time, the Mavericks badly need a defensive wing. Hachimura would be a large upgrade in that regard. Moreover, he’s got some valuable offensive ability. Hachimura can create his own midrange. That could be an interesting wrinkle in this team’s offense.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tim Hardaway Jr, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Moreover, Hachimura (and Hayes) are much younger than Hardaway Jr. If Dallas wants to make a bigger deal in the summer, they’ll be more attractive trade chips than Hardaway Jr.
Should the Lakers give those trade chips away?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
This isn’t complicated for the Lakers. They need floor spacing – badly. The Mavericks have Seth Curry on their roster. On the other hand, the Lakers don’t have a shooting specialist.
Hardaway Jr. is a knockdown shooter. He’s not just a catch-and-shoot specialist, either. Hardaway Jr. is a strong movement shooter, and he can knock down threes off the dribble.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tim Hardaway Jr, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In other words, he’s exactly the type of player who’s typically complimented James. Hardaway Jr.’s ability to space the floor will make better use of James’ playmaking abilities. If the Lakers land him, it could help them improve their place in the league’s hierarchy.
