The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten out to an 11-2 record, which is currently the best record in the NBA. Even better, they have a seven-game winning streak, and with each of their next five games coming against teams that are under .500, that win streak could continue for a little while.
Most people, including Lakers fans, haven’t been convinced that L.A.’s roster is championship-caliber right now. However, it does appear to be one or two pieces away from being able to contend for the NBA championship soon. Most agree that Los Angeles needs a serviceable backup center and a starting-level two-way forward in order to take that next step.
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Ben Tiemeyer of ESPN proposed a trade that would bring the Lakers Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington in return for forward Jarred Vanderbilt, rookie guard Cameron Carr and two second-round draft picks.
“Washington is a versatile two-way wing who started alongside [Luka] Doncic during the Mavericks’ run to the finals in 2024,” Tiemeyer wrote. “Washington played the best basketball of his career alongside Luka during their time together on the Mavs and would be a proven contributor to add to the Lakers’ depth.”
Washington has frequently been mentioned as an ideal target for the Lakers. At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, he primarily plays the power forward position and is known as a stout defender, a strong finisher at the rim and someone who can get up and down the court in transition.
So far this season, he’s averaging 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.9 blocks a game. The 28-year-old isn’t a great 3-point shooter, but he isn’t terrible in that department either, and he could serve as the Lakers’ third scoring option, something they don’t have right now.
Los Angeles has been trying to unload the little-used Vanderbilt for some time, as he has a bad contract that will pay him a total of $12.43 million this season and has a player option for next season. While he is an energetic defender and can get rebounds in bunches, he is extremely limited on offense.
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Carr is thought to have plenty of potential, but he’s clearly not ready to contribute right now. He would fit the timeline of Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks’ new franchise player.
This article originally appeared on Lakers Wire: ESPN mock trade lands Lakers P.J. Washington at a low price
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
