Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking rumored trade targets by impact

By Jason Reed | Jul 9, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: John Wall #2 and Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards talk on the floor in the first half against the Toronto Raptors during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

4. John Wall

John Wall is the more talented guard on the Washington Wizards but is the worse fit on the Los Angeles Lakers. While Wall is one of the most talented and explosive guards in the game, and one of my personal favorites, his play style and demeanor simply does not seem to mesh well with LeBron James.

Wall is a similar guard to Kyrie Irving in the sense that he can create his own offense, get to the cup as well as score off-ball and distribute the basketball pretty nicely. However, for some reason, Wall has simply stopped playing defense the last two seasons.

Wall is a good defender when he wants to be. He is a shifty pick-pocket guard that can steal the basketball and create fast breaks. However, for whatever reason, Wall has been less than impressive on the defensive side of the basketball.

Plus, Wall is a point guard that needs the ball in order to thrive. And while LeBron reportedly wants to play more off-ball in the future, Wall’s ball-dominant nature is only going to hurt whatever young pieces don’t get traded, whether that is Brandon Ingram or Kyle Kuzma.

Wall has already seemed like a headache on the Washington Wizards and has not seemed like the leader a point guard should be. While he may be more talented than someone like Lonzo Ball, Ball has a better character and still gives the Lakers a good outlook at the point guard position.

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