RW, Reaves, Ryan, and Gabriel are really doing well and are buying into Ham's program. I like what is developing DJ. I thought I'd never say this but I am leaning to not trading Westbrook because has really embraced coming-off-the-bench and playing with guys like Reaves, Ryan, and Gabriel and Bevereley playing great D and sech.
That foursome is doing very well especially in reversing those horrible Third Quarters the Lakers are known for recently. Now we are competitive and we may lose the Third but it has not been by much as a opposed to be doubled-up on by the opponent in the past. I really am liking what I am seeing developing and Ham just might be onto something here.
BTW, Nunn and JTA are in Ham's doghouse and if we do make a trade for say a Terry Rozier, Nunn will be the first to go. Also, we haven't seen Schroooder yet. He may be another add-on to the Westbrook crew.
Yep, DJ. That is what everyone else is surmising. Any "new" deals are just the imagination of the sports pundits. James is beginning to show the effects of his age. He'll have is nights where he'll look like the younger James but on most nights he'll be like he was last night: Missing shots at key times and playing less minutes.
Walker, Brown Jr, Westbrook, Gabriel, Ryan, Reaves, AD (when he is healthy) will carry the load going forward. There not a bad bunch but they may not get past the 35 wins mark which will be fine at this juncture.
When Bryant and Schrooooder come back from injuries and sometime Jones, the Lakers will have what they need for a 35-win season. Adding anybody else won't change much and then next summer the Lakers will re-evaluate after Westbrook leaves.
The question is: Is trading Westbrook, who is doing pretty well coming-off the bench, going to make us better? Probably not. Our three-point shooting is getting better. Defense is good. Westbrook is playing better than last year and he adds pretty good D and who would we trade for that would make us better? Getting rid of Nunn and maybe Beverley to get Rozier or Gordon Haywood? Maybe. Right now, it looks like the Lakers are going to stand pat because the alternative is just not worth disrupting what little progress Ham has already managed to develop.