Laker's Fan Franchise Player
Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 12812
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 3:33 pm Post subject: Trade Idea: Williams/Bass, Zeller, Pondexter |
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Really two separate trades that can be blended to move around 'extra' players
Lakers: Lou Williams
Charlotte: Cody Zeller, B Roberts
Zeller is a good, young, backup quality PnR big who can anchor a little better than his rep suggests. He was said to be available around draft time and Charlotte has since acquired Hawes and Kaminsky, both on multi-year deals. Lou is a quality player on a cost effective deal, but redundant on LA's roster.
Whereas the depth chart up front is deep for Charlotte, team depth at SG is limited with MKG's injury forcing Batum to play SF. They did just extend Lamb, but don't have much depth behind him other than Hairston who has had maturity issues leading to the declining of his rookie option. Lou tore up the EC last year en route to becoming 6th man of the year. He provides a similar scoring punch as Kemba and could fit into their schemes nicely. His deal is cap friendly which is important for a small market team with two starters due to be free agents (Jefferson/Batum). Roberts is buried behind Kemba and Lin. He's on an expiring.
Lakers: Bass, Sacre
New Orleans: Q Pondexter
(optional 3-way B Roberts / N Cole)
Bass would provide vet big man depth that fits Gentry's pace scheme while fitting very well next to a mobile, shot blocking big like Davis. Sacre is Center depth for a team who has been in search of it. Both are New Orleans natives. Pondexter is a good backup quality SF who hasn't played yet this season while recovering from surgery and is reported to have no definitive return date. NO is trying to win now and Pondexter is likely to be working his way into shape through February. The Cole signing hasn't been fluid, from a protracted contract negotiations that resulted in a one year deal and recent injury. If both sides are looking for a clean start, and with New Orleans searching for PG depth, swapping Roberts for Cole could be appealing (thus the 3-way, though technically as a one-to-one, it wouldn't have to be done at the same time). LA was said to have interest in Cole who is a better defender and is younger than Huertas. Getting him this season would be about incorporating him into the team culture before he hits free agency.
LA would end up with greater roster balance, adding a young backup big with the size to rim protect, a quality backup SF, and potentially a defensive option at backup PG....all without effecting the existing $60 million in cap room in July. In place starters would be the young trio with vacancies @ starting SF and C. There are quality FA options like Durant, Batum, Whiteside and even Hibbert at those positions. The bench would be Cole, Young, Pondexter, Nance and Zeller, with Black, Brown and potentially Kelly in reserve (Cole would be the only UFA of the group). |
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