The Los Angeles Lakers have been very active leading up to this year’s NBA trade deadline, which was 3 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.
They first sent little-used guard Kendrick Nunn and second-round draft compensation to the Washington Wizards for forward Rui Hachimura. Hachimura quickly moved into the starting lineup. Although he is still feeling his way into the team’s offense, he is clearly something of an upgrade.
Before his arrival, Los Angeles had a clear dearth of productive forwards other than LeBron James.
Late Wednesday, reports broke of the Lakers’ big move, getting rid of Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Damian Jones, plus a 2027 first-round pick for guard D’Angelo Russell, big man Jarred Vanderbilt and sharpshooter Malik Beasley.
Then, right before the deadline on Thursday, the Lakers sent Patrick Beverley and second-round draft capital to the Orlando Magic for center Mo Bamba.
Sources said the Lakers are sending second-round draft compensation with Patrick Beverley to Orlando for Mo Bamba — a major get for a reworked frontline around Anthony Davis and LeBron James. https://t.co/ZEqa6M4b4R
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023
Bamba will greatly fortify a Lakers frontline that suddenly looks very strong.
He’s averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1 block and 17 minutes per game this season, and he will give L.A. a true center who can protect the rim, grab rebounds and finish strongly at the hoop.
But Bamba can also stretch the floor. He is shooting 39.8% from 3-point range this year on 2.7 attempts per game, and along with Russell and Beasley, he should greatly address the Lakers’ lack of outside shooting.
General manager Rob Pelinka has somehow managed to greatly replenish his team’s roster and rectify at least some of its issues despite a lack of trade assets.