The Los Angeles Lakers are debating the reason behind their loss after the playoffs, but there is a possibility of changes in the off-season. Besides Trae Young, several players are being considered who would also certainly be a great fit with the Lakers, but you just can’t help but envision possible fireworks between these stars or the effects of sharing the ball too little.
As per media reports, Lakers’ management appears to be paying attention to Young, as the trade deadline’s extension may indicate their intention to acquire the shooter. Nevertheless, he has dominated in isolation plays and pick-and-roll, but integration with existing players would be the cutest part of the puzzle.
On the flip side, Young’s potency is often doubted as a result of his over-emphasis on high-usage shots and his passion for long-range shots, which on another level may not align well with James as the latter is mostly the game controller. Traditionally, integrating an additional high-impact athlete, for example, Russell Westbrook, produces doubt about whether Young has a place in the Lakers system.
The other thing is the weaknesses in Young’s defensive play, which can pose an additional burden. Williams differs from Westbrook as far as physical abilities go. His athleticism allowed for many positions, which may be more difficult for Young since his physique is pushing him against the wall. In this situation, James Harden will face off against Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, the backcourt of the Portland Trail Blazers. Although it is apparent that the development of Young’s defensive skills has been acknowledged, defensive flaws, which are anxiety roles, still need to be improved.
LeBron James‘ attention to balanced roster composition, through a proper blend of star-studded players and supporting team members, emphasizes the role of good team depth. The Lakers won their title in 2020 with a well-harmonized roster, including this balance, but it seems that during the following years, their rosters behaved like dissonant music.
It would be a tough trade as drafting Trae Young would require deep roster restructuring, and the team could handicap themselves in terms of depth and versatility. However, the team has to deal with this imbalance between Young’s substantial salary and the need for depth, which is a hard task, especially with NBA salary cap rules.
On the other hand, the Laker’s psyche, which has long paid attention to personality, probably results in the possibility that the club will seek to introduce Trae Young to the team as a primary player despite fit issues. In their offseason quests, the Lakers need to enhance their roster, which is often tempting with big-star glamour being counterbalanced against team harmony and the perfect blend.
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