Lakers Add Elite Defender and All-Star Guard in Latest Projected Trade

As was expected by many before the season, except somehow by GM Rob Pelinka and the front office, the Los Angeles Lakers are a mediocre team. They are a disaster defensively, solid offensively, and after an up-and-down first month and a half of the season, the Lakers sit in eighth place with a 13-11 record.

If the Lakers don't make any mid-season trades, they will firmly be in the play-in mix. At best, they look like first-round fodder right now. Considering that LeBron James is turning 40 in two weeks, the Lakers need to maximize what they can do in the present.

That means going all-in using their trade assets, mainly the two first-round picks they have in their arsenal. In one recent mock trade proposal, the Lakers send those first-round picks, with the salaries of D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent, to the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire Herb Jones and CJ McCollum.

It was recently reported that the Pelicans are listening to offers for its key players. They are 5-20 on the season following the injuries to Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray and are headed to the lottery. They are understandably looking to embrace the tank and move their valuable players for draft capital and future assets.

Two unprotected first-round picks from the Lakers are very valuable assets and should be a no-brainer for them.

This is a risky move for the Lakers but they may not have another choice. McCollum and Jones are ideal fits around LeBron and Davis, filling their holes. Jones is one of the best and most versatile defenders in the league. He can guard multiple positions and lock down the best players on the opposing team.

McCollum, on the other hand, adds more shooting and creation for the Lakers. He is certainly overpaid at $33.3 million per year but he is still a significant upgrade over D'Angelo Russell.

A McCollum-Reaves-Jones-LeBron-AD starting lineup is a fascinating one that could compete with the best when healthy. It will not make them championship favorites, but the Lakers owe it to LeBron and Davis to build the best roster possible around them.

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