Moves are going to have to be made if the Los Angeles Lakers have any hope of turning around a season that has gone into a tailspin after they won the NBA In-Season Tournament.
The Lakers are 5-12 since winning a tournament even though Anthony Davis is having a great season and LeBron James is still playing at an elite level at 39 years old.
But they’re at the bottom of the league in several categories, offensive rating, offensive rebounding percentage, 3-point percentage. They’re last in the league in 3-point attempts.
Instead of looking at a roster that’s not performing, it appears the focus is on second-year coach Darvin Ham, who has been making constant changes to the lineup and players are reportedly scratching their heads.
What they need to do is make a move to shake up the roster. Zach LaVine’s name was linked to the Lakers at the start of trade season, but his contract is too high and the move to get him would be too much.
So let’s look at some players the Lakers could get who are not named Zach LaVine.
Related: Roster woes, not Darvin Ham, is the Lakers biggest problem
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets
In 26 games this season, Rozier is averaging 24.0 points and 6.8 assists per game and is shooting 46% from the field – all would be single-season highs if those numbers held up. He’s having the best scoring season of his career, and has really taken off since LaMelo Ball went out with injury.
The Hornets don’t seem to be too eager to trade Rozier. The Lakers could start with an offer of Russell and Jalen Hood-Schifino, and the Hood-Schifino could be part of a continued building for the Hornets.
Rozier would be for it, apparently, liking a tweet that put his name in a potential Lakers trade. The Lakers could get offense and would only be on the hook for a season with his contract.
Related: Disturbing news about Zach LaVine’s trade value
Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks
This is not a new idea; the Lakers trading for Dejounte Murray, but it seems like an expensive one. The Atlanta Hawks are hoping to unload Murray after the two sides agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension in the offseason.
He also has a trade kicker that would be one of the highest in NBA history that would have to be paid by the Hawks
The Lakers might ask for Bogdan Bogdanovich to be part of the deal, which helps with their shooting woes. It would probably cost them D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura and some draft picks, which the Lakers have few.
Related: 4 coaching candidates to replace Darvin Ham
Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets
The numbers don’t jump off the page, Dorian Finney-Smith, 30, has started 24 games for the Brooklyn Nets and is averaging 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
He is still a good shooter, hitting 43.1% of his field goals and canning 40.9% of his 3-point attempts. Finney-Smith is under contract for one more season, and has a $15 million player option for his 2025-26 season.
He can play defense and hit catch-and-shoot threes. The only downside is that the Nets apparently want a big return.