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The Los Angeles Lakers look like they were in for another dominant season after finally winning a championship since 2010. They also made some key acquisitions in Montrezl Harrell, Dennis Schröder, Marc Gasol, and Wesley Matthews during the off-season. Unfortunately, injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis have left the Lakers team shorthanded during the majority part of the second half of the regular season which puts their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
On paper, the Lakers have a group of veterans who can still keep the team afloat. But unfortunately, with the way the team is playing, it just isn’t the case. The team has gone 0-2 so far since injuries have taken out both of their superstars. Furthermore with former Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol playing subpar this season and Wesley Matthews not making a major impact, it makes you wonder at times what if the Purple and Gold didn’t give up some of the players that they used to have. For this piece, let’s take a look at five players the Lakers shouldn’t have given up.
Avery Bradley
Avery Bradley was actually part of the championship team with the Lakers last season. But unfortunately, he chose not to join the team in the NBA restart inside the Orlando bubble because of family health concerns. Afterwards, he opted out of his contract to play for last year’s Eastern Conference Champions, the Miami Heat.
The 6’3 guard, had he stayed with the team, would’ve been a useful piece for the Lakers this season. With his ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor, he could’ve been a reliable knockdown shooter and a defensive headache for opposing ball handlers. In his lone season with the Lakers, he fired 8.6 points per game, while stroking it 36.4% from deep. It is worth noting that the Los Angeles based team is currently ranked at a lowly 21st in Three Point percentage.
If the Lakers had kept Bradley for this season, maybe the team wouldn’t have struggle so much in rainbow country. Furthermore, the presence of Bradley would have reduced the pressure on LBJ to defend elite guards like Jamaal Murray, Damien Lillard, and Stephen Curry.
JaVale McGee
If there is an aspect outside of shooting that the Lakers lack this season, it would be size. Outside of Anthony Davis, the Lakers don’t really have another serviceable big man. Sure the Lakers have Gasol and Harrell. However, the former is playing his worst basketball season while the latter is greatly undersized at only 6’7. With JaVale McGee last season, the team had a respectable center who can finish around the rim, while providing some rim protection on the defensive end of the floor.
The three time NBA champion was effective in his two season stint with the Lakers as he produced 9.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per outing. Unfortunately, McGee left the Lakers after the team used him as one of the pieces to trade for three time All-Star Marc Gasol.
Had the Lakers kept McGee, the team wouldn’t have to place a lot of pressure on Anthony Davis to provide the ceiling the team needs. At 7’0, equipped with his athleticism, he could easily provide productive minutes in the back-up center position. Furthermore, it wouldn’t have also forced the Purple and Gold to scrap for an available big man in the market that eventually came in the form of Damian Jones.
Although rumors have appeared that the Lakers are eyeing on McGee before the trade deadline, it is quite unlikely that a reunion will happen. With CBA rules and other higher profile big men that can be available for the Purple and Gold, the Lakers will probably try to make the most out of the trade deadline and buy out market to help them weather the absence of James and AD.
Dwight Howard
Aside from McGee, another big man that the Lakers lost last season was eight time All-Star Dwight Howard. Last season, he averaged 7.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for the Purple and Gold. But more importantly, he was the x-factor in the Western Conference Finals, where he helped slowed down Denver Nuggets’ star center Nikola Jokic.
Although the one time NBA champion isn’t the star he was during his days with the Orlando Magic, he clearly thrived in the Lakers rotation as a role player who could provide energetic dunks while keeping the paint in check. Unfortunately with the Lakers choosing not pay him, Howard chose to play for the Philadelphia 76ers, despite announcing he would stay with the team.
The three time Defensive Player of the Year would’ve easily made an impact for the Lakers this season after what he showed in the bubble. Without AD and James, Howard would’ve been a respectable temporary go-to option given his star power and ability to control the paint. In fact, he has been stellar as Joel Embiid’s back-up big man this season. In fact, he even registered a 18 point, 12 rebound outing earlier this month.
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Like McGee, Howard would’ve provided the Lakers some size. Furthermore, his presence would also reduce the pressure on Anthony Davis. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Howard and the Sixers are atop the Eastern Conference, while the defending champs are scrambling to find the pieces to keep their campaign afloat without their superstars.
Jordan Clarkson
Jordan Clarkson was actually traded back in 2018 to Cleveland. However after looking at him now, there is no question that he would be a big help for the Los Angeles Lakers‘ crisis. Clarkson is currently the spark plug off the bench for the Utah Jazz, as he is putting up a career high 17.5 points per game on 43% overall shooting which is good enough so far to name him as the favorite to win the Sixth Man of the Year this season. But more importantly, his contribution has also helped the Jazz sit at the top of the Western Conference.
The 6’4 guard would easily be a big boost right now with LBJ and AD out of action for quite some time. Clarkson can easily fill the scoring needs when the team experiences some droughts, as he could be a great go-to scoring option for the mean time. Furthermore his presence will also add another reliable ball handler for the team, as only Dennis Schröder is the only capable one with LBJ out.
With a walking bucket like Clarkson, complimented by Schröder and Harrell, this group of known sixth man candidates could be enough to snag some wins to at least keep the team within the top six seeds heading into the postseason until LBJ and AD returns to action. Furthermore, he won't be having problems playing alongside James, given that they were teammates during the Cavs' championship campaign in 2018.
It is worth noting that the Lakers actually had a chance to persuade the spitfire guard to return to Los Angeles during free agency, given that he was one of their targets. Unfortunately for them, Clarkson chose to stay put in Salt Lake City for a luxurious four year, $52 million contract.
Julius Randle
If there is another former Laker that is truly breaking out this season, it would be Julius Randle. Randle has been a revelation for the New York Knicks, as he is putting up 23.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per outing which is good enough to earn his first All-Star distinction. Unfortunately, Randle wanted to leave the Lakers as soon as they signed LeBron James back in 2018. The 6’8 big man went on to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Randle would be a great help to the Lakers right now with AD and LBJ out of action. Had the Lakers kept him, he would’ve easily be a main contributor by now. Sure AD and LBJ would have taken his minutes, but his potential would’ve been realized with an opportunity like this.
Without its injured stars, Randle could’ve been a reliable small option big man that could take over as the temporary go-to option. His ability to score and to set the table wound’ve given the Lakers a lot of depth. But more importantly, it would’ve offset James’ absence, at least to a smaller magnitude. Seeing how he is doing so well as the main face of the Knicks, he could’ve been effective as well as the leader of this depleted Los Angeles team.
