After starting the season 3-0, the Los Angeles Lakers have continued to impress. They are now 10-4 and currently sit in third place in the Western Conference after winning six consecutive games.
Most of their success is due to Anthony Davis and LeBron James starting off the season strong. Davis looks as though he will be in the running for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year thanks to his stellar start.
Despite their winning streak, the Lakers still have one major problem that they must clean up if they want to raise banner No. 18 at the end of the season. That problem is their perimeter defense.
While Los Angeles is scoring 117.3 points per game, which ranks in the top five of the NBA, it has been their defense that has held them back. They are allowing 116 points to opposing teams, which ranks in the bottom 10 of the NBA.
The Lakers could change that by pulling off a blockbuster trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for Marcus Smart and Jaren Jackson Jr. With the Grizzlies being without Ja Morant for an extended period due to a hip injury, they could fall in the standings, which may cause them to trade some of their big names.
In a possible trade, the Lakers could send D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino and draft picks to Memphis for Jackson Jr. and Smart.
Jackson Jr., the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, has had a great start to the season. He is averaging 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 52.7% from the field and 35.3% from three. By adding him next to Davis in the frontcourt, the Lakers would create one of the NBA’s most dominant defensive frontcourts while also adding another reliable scorer.
While Jackson Jr. has had a great start to the season, it has been the complete opposite for Smart. The 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year is averaging only 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1 steal per game. He has also struggled shooting the ball as he is shooting just 30.0% from the field and 21.4% from three.
While Smart has struggled offensively, it is likely that he could turn it around in Los Angeles while also giving them an elite perimeter defender.
By making this trade, the Lakers would fix their defensive woes while also adding two more great players to try and capture the franchise’s 18th championship.
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