The Lakers have been looking for a point guard to pair with James and two names that are currently available are Ben Simmons (Philadelphia) and Jerami Grant (Oklahoma City). The problem is, the Sixers want multiple picks in exchange while OKC wants no less than three. Here’s how the Lakers can solve this dilemma.
The “nba rumors: lakers” is a trade that the Lakers could do to land Ben Simmons and Jerami Grant. The two players are currently playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Los Angeles Lakers are not the squad that everyone predicted. LeBron James is still one of the league’s top five players, but he is approaching 37 years old and can no longer be counted on to perform at his normal high level in every game. James obviously has a lot of miles on his body and needs as much aid as possible at this point in the season. Unfortunately for him and the Laker organization, the assistance has not always been available.
Anthony Davis is still prone to injury, averaging just 24.0 points per game this season on 52.3 percent shooting from the field and a dismal 19.2 percent from three. Since he began taking more than 1.0 3-pointer per game, the big man is shooting at the lowest percentage of his career from three. Davis has not looked like the player he was in 2020, apart from his uneven shooting and overall lack of domination. Russell Westbrook, in particular, has been a mess.
As the franchise’s floor general, the 9-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer is having an erratic season. On paper, the point guard’s numbers are impressive: 19.5 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, and 8.4 assists per game. But it is his inefficiency, not his statistics, that is the problem. Russ is shooting 45.1 percent from the field, 32.4 percent from the free-throw line, and 67.6 percent from the line. When compared to other superstar point guards, his outside shooting and free-throw shooting have been below-average, and he isn’t the ideal match alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Frank Vogel, the club’s head coach, has also been in hot water recently for failing to lead the squad better on the court. While it is unfair to hold the coach responsible for the team’s 15-13 start to the season, he does deserve some responsibility. Not to add, the Lakers’ role players have been questioned due to their age and inability to compensate for their superstar trio’s uneven performance.
Fortunately, the Lakers have a method to get two superstar players who will solve all of their issues on both sides of the court. Los Angeles may conduct two mega-trades with the Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers to bring them the desired NBA title at the conclusion of the season.
Los Angeles fires Horton-Tucker and replaces him with a rising star.
Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, Rajon Rondo, and a 2027 first-round pick go to the Detroit Pistons.
Jerami Grant joins the Los Angeles Lakers.
Talen Horton-Tucker is a favorite of the Los Angeles Lakers because the 21-year-old exudes confidence on the floor and is never hesitant to take risks. Horton-Tucker, a 6’4″ shooting guard, has improved his performance on both sides of the court in recent years. He’s averaging 11.3 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game this season, which is impressive given he’s only played in 15 games since returning from injury. After Carmelo Anthony, Horton-Tucker has been the team’s most reliable role player.
Last year, Los Angeles refused to trade Horton-Tucker for former NBA champion Kyle Lowry, which did not assist the squad in the playoffs. The Lakers were expected to compete after being eliminated in the first round last year, especially with Russell Westbrook on the roster. As a consequence, many Lakers fans believed that retaining Talen Horton-Tucker was the proper decision. That has clearly not been the case, as Westbrook has struggled while Kyle Lowry has provided the Miami Heat with championship intangibles.
If Lowry joins the Lakers, they will almost certainly be a much better club on both sides of the court. The former Raptors star has shown his ability to win at the greatest level, something the Lakers desperately needed during their slump. However, the window for obtaining Lowry has passed, and they now have the opportunity to pursue Jerami Grant, a new outstanding player.
Last season, the two-way swingman stunned everyone by averaging a career-high 22.3 points per game and showing signs of being named to the All-Star Team. Grant is back to his best this season, averaging 20.1 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game while playing above-average defense. Grant would be a welcome addition to a Lakers team that can’t even guard their own shadow. The swingman is capable of defending four positions, scoring in isolation, and assisting LeBron James in the fast break. Losing Horton-Tucker will be a blow, but the Lakers must capitalize on a 36-year-old LeBron James in his last years to compete now.
The NBA is about to be shaken up once again by a blockbuster deal.
Russell Westbrook, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick go to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Ben Simmons and Danny Green are on the way.
Ben Simmons, a three-time Any-Star, is suddenly available, therefore the Lakers must have him at all costs. He’s a better player than Russell Westbrook, even though he can’t shoot and probably has a worse jumper. After earning runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, the Australian is larger (6’11”), longer, and a far superior defender. Last season, Simmons averaged 14.3 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, and 6.9 assists per game for the Philadelphia 76ers, who were seeded first.
As a gigantic point guard with a huge influence on defense, Simmons will address all of the Lakers’ defensive problems. The Australian has the ability to block shots, swipe the ball, stick with on-court stars, and play outstanding team defense. Most significantly, Simmons’ basketball IQ is greater than Russell Westbrook’s. Although Westbrook is a stronger scorer and shooter than Simmons, the point guard is unable to handle the ball as well.
Because he possesses the stature and court vision of a young King, Ben Simmons will begin to realize his potential as a LeBron James Lite. Despite the fact that Ben is a different player who concentrates on guarding and rebounding rather than scoring, he is the ideal candidate to learn from LeBron. Simmons must be acquired at the sacrifice of Russell Westbrook and future selections for the benefit of the Lakers’ present championship chase and their future.
The Purple and Gold would complete this trade in a heartbeat if only they could get Philadelphia to take Russell Westbrook in exchange. Simmons is just 25 years old and has a tremendous upside, so getting a 33-year-old point guard in exchange isn’t exactly the finest trade. The 76ers, on the other hand, seem desperate at this point, with studs Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard committing to Washington and Portland, respectively.
But, like they have in the past, if the Lakers can persuade an opposition GM to accept a trade, they are putting themselves in a position to succeed now and in the future. After this offseason’s catastrophe, Simmons will be eager to show himself as one of the top players in the game, as well as a long-term star for the Lakers alongside Anthony Davis.
With new acquisitions, the Lakers have a new starting lineup.
With Grant and Simmons on the roster, the Lakers’ defense seems to be a disaster. Simmons is 6’11” and has a lengthy wingspan, making him one of the top defensive players in the NBA. Jerami Grant stands 6’8″ and has a long wingspan. They’ll be joined by a physically intimidating LeBron James and Anthony Davis, a great inside defender. During the regular season and playoffs, these four players will have no trouble guarding any opponent, particularly while Frank Vogel is coaching them.
With LeBron James and Ben Simmons sharing playmaking responsibilities, the Lakers will be a force on offense. While Simmons, like Russell Westbrook, need the ball to be his All-Star self, he is a more intelligent player who will adapt to his abilities. Ben is unstoppable on the fast break and, by being selfless, tends to improve those around him. Grant is also an ideal starter for championship teams since he works hard and isn’t reliant on the ball.
Malik Monk, a 23-year-old shooting guard with a lot of energy and explosiveness, completes the lineup. Monk is only averaging 9.7 points per game this season, but as a shooter and rim runner, he has put up some impressive numbers in 2021. With Simmons and James providing shots for him and training him to be a better all-around player, Monk will develop on the Lakers as well. The Lakers will be a tough team to play against with Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony coming off the bench, as they improve on both sides of the floor thanks to these mega-trades.
With These Trades, The Los Angeles Lakers Won It All
To pull off two transactions of this size, the Lakers will have to put in a lot of effort and risk. On the trade market, Simmons is available, but the Lakers must move quickly to prevent him from joining another club. While trading Russell Westbrook 28 games into the season may seem to be a last-minute decision, it is necessary for a club with a narrowing championship window. LeBron James isn’t getting any younger, and he may only be able to play at a high level for another two seasons. While The King is regarded as a superhuman athlete, father time has intervened and will continue to do so in the future. Instead of a previous All-Star who is old and has little possibility of altering his style of play, James needs new blood around him. The Lakers must move quickly if they want to win now.
Los Angeles sacrificed their future for a present superstar when they traded Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart for Anthony Davis. Davis helped Los Angeles win the championship in 2020, and he will continue to be a part of the team’s future. Similarly, the Lakers will have to give up future assets (Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, future selections) as well as their starting point guard (Russell Westbrook) in exchange for two outstanding players who will lead the team to the NBA Finals.
Not to add, the Lakers have a terrific chance to sign two previous All-Star players who can come in and contribute right away if their current clubs agree to buy them out. It’s unclear if John Wall or Kevin Love will become available, but Los Angeles might be in a good position if they keep an eye on the buyout market.
Los Angeles has surpassed the Suns, Jazz, and Nuggets as the most well-rounded team in the West, thanks to the addition of two new defensive talents to the squad. The NBA is now wide open, and the Lakers need to shake up the conference with two big transactions to go to the Finals and capitalize on LeBron’s last years as a great player.
Next
Damian Lillard Joins the Lakers, Russell Westbrook Joins the Pelicans, and Brandon Ingram Joins the Trail Blazers
For the Los Angeles Lakers, the 5 Best Russell Westbrook Trade Scenarios
What if every NBA superstar went to the team he couldn’t beat: Michael Jordan to the Pistons, LeBron James to the Warriors?
Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James have all set career highs in the NBA.
Every NBA franchise’s best win/loss season: The Warriors’ 73 victories are unbeatable.
Watch This Video-
Related Tags
- where is ben simmons from
- lakers 2021
- jerami grant
