The Los Angeles Lakers shook the NBA landscape last week by making one of the biggest trades in league history, acquiring superstar big man Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans to play alongside of LeBron James.
But the Lakers are not done.
Yes, we do need to note the comical fact that Los Angeles somehow messed up the Davis trade in not understanding how much it would cost the team in cap space, but the Lakers seem to be on their way to rectifying that in order to open up a max slot.
And if and when Los Angeles does ultimately open up another max salary slot alongside of James and Davis, it should pursue Kemba Walker as its third star.
There has been some debate as to whether or not the Lakers will even pursue a max player, with some suggesting that they should merely surround James and Davis with shooters and capable role players, and while that's fine, it's probably not what LA has in mind.
The Lakers understand that with James turning 35 years old in December, they don't have much time to mess around and need to put together a surefire contender as soon as possible.
Obviously, James and Davis alone make Los Angeles a legitimate title threat, as they are two top five players in the league, but bringing aboard another star like Walker would make the Lakers that much more dangerous.
Walker has spent his entire NBA career in Charlotte, and, as a result, he hasn't gotten a fair amount of shine. Sure, people have talked about him, because he is really good, but his legacy seems to be more attached to his legendary national title run at UConn back in 2011 rather than anything he has accomplished on the professional level, to no fault of his own.
Let's face it: Walker has been stuck in NBA purgatory ever since entering the league, as he is about the only good draft pick the Hornets have made since then.
Charlotte has made a couple of playoff appearances since Walker's arrival, but it has yet to win a playoff series, as Michael Jordan and Co. have been consistent unable to put adequate supporting talent around Walker.
But I'd say LeBron James and Anthony Davis are pretty fine supporting pieces, wouldn't you say?
Not only would Walker give himself a shot at a title, but he would be the perfect fit in the Lakers' system. Los Angeles desperately needs another ball-handler after trading Lonzo Ball and with Rajon Rondo entering free agency, and Walker would also bring some perimeter shooting to the table, another key area in which the Lakers are completely bereft.
Let's also remember that James has played with a player like Walker before, and that player was named Kyrie Irving. Yes, James and Irving clashed, but the two won a title together, and Walker does not have the same abrasive personality as Kyrie and would likely be more amenable to playing second-fiddle to James.
Also, James has likely learned something from his time with Irving, and you would think that how he treats his teammates has changed as a result. Well, his star teammates, anyway.
A trio of James, Davis and Walker would be beyond lethal offensively, as you could play either James or Walker at point and let Davis run pick-and-roll with whomever is on the ball.
Of course, the Lakers would still need to add some shooters in order to complete their offense, but the idea of James, Davis and Walker together is terrifying for opposing defenses, and let's not forget that Walker is one of the league's best closers.
Because of how good of a closer Irving was, James did not have nearly as much pressure to close games during his first three seasons in Cleveland, and if Los Angeles signs Walker, he would once again not have to worry about finishing things off every fourth quarter.
While Irving is certainly a more efficient scorer than Walker, their styles are incredibly similar, and when Walker is on his game and feeling it, he is every bit as lethal as Kyrie due to his combination of blinding quickness and insane handles.
People tend to overlook the fact that Walker averaged 25.6 points per game this season, and what's more is that Walker has played in 80 games in three of his last four years. And the one year he didn't play 80? He played 79.
So, while Kyrie is a bit injury-prone, Walker has been an ironman, and Walker always does not come with the moody attitude that can damage a locker room like Irving.
It's hard to imagine a better fit alongside of James and Davis.
Jimmy Butler? He's not a good enough shooter. Tobias Harris? He's not a guard and the Lakers need one. Kyrie? James and Irving have been down that road before.
If there is a free agent the Lakers should be pursuing to put the cherry on top of their summer, it's Kemba Walker.
Follow Us
Subscribe