DeMar DeRozan will have to wear warm clothes again after being sent back to the Atlantic
This wasn't a trade anyone saw coming. While there was a growing belief that one of DeMar DeRozan or Giannis "The Greek Freak" Antetokounmpo needed to be moved at some point, no one really thought it would be DeRoco, who entertained fans with his persistent feud with Doug "McBuckets" McDermott and his trolling of the Denver Nuggets in the ongoing feud between the two organizations. The Lakers' leading scorer, locker room president, and franchise face didn't have the accolades or even the playoff appearances of Kobe Bryant, but he was the hometown hero who returned to make his squad competitive - in the conversation for the playoffs, until the inevitable second half collapses.
And now he's on his way to the New York Knicks, in a stunning 1 for 1 swap for Victor Oladipo, a 25 year old defensive specialist SG. At 6'4, Oladipo is shorter than the traditional Jestorball 2 guard, and numerous analysts have observed he needs to slim down to be able to get in front of quicker, more agile guards (68.8% drive stop rate). That's an opportunity he'll get with his new squad, who specializes in reviving players' careers (DeRozan, Antetokounmpo, just to name two of the most high profile examples). Oladpio's arrival means that Chandler Parsons shifts to the same SF spot he started at in Sacramento, with the rest of the lineup unchanged. One thing Lakers Nation will love - his 2.8 TOFC/game.
"This all really started with Shabazz Napier," head coach Terry Stotts said in a phone interview. "Once we realized we could get more competitive against the teams with superstars by going to a pressure defense, that's when we started targeting guys like Chandler and Victor." While Stotts hasn't said if the Lakers plan to switch to the grit and grind game the Grizzlies have geared up with recently (and posted a 7-3 record with over the last 10 games), neither did he rule out that possibility.
Victor Oladipo will dive right into the Lakers' pressure scheme
Although the deal was largely lauded for the Lakers by media experts, internally the organization feels it's a risk. DeRozan was the team's most consistent shooter and point producer on a game to game basis ever since he changed jerseys from Red and White to Purple and Gold, and his defensive metrics superseded what scouts reported. His TS% was also tops on the team for those receiving major minutes, and no one even came close to his PER. He also boasted an absurdly low TO % (8.3) for one who handled the ball as much as he did.
Going forward, the scoring load will likely be a balanced one, with Chandler Parsons and Giannis Antetokounmpo likely to assume primary roles and Julius Randle the third spot. There's reason to believe the defensive scheme can work - DeRozan watched in street clothes as the Lakers shut down the Pacific-leading Kings 95-81, with all five Laker starters scoring at least 12 points. Otto Porter and Chandler Parsons canceled each other out with great defense, while Giannis Anteotokounmpo beasted past UNLV alum Christian Wood for Player of the Game winning 26 points and a steal on 11 of 16 shooting. The Lakers held Sactown to just 38.8% shooting, including 6 of 23 from long distance range.
The most exciting performance, however, may have come from Julius Randle, who recorded his third straight double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds after going 16 points/18 rebounds and 20 points/12 rebounds his last two games - both competitive losses. The Elias Sports Bureau reported that since the CSL started, no Laker has recorded three consecutive double-doubles, suggesting that perhaps a turnaround is soon to come. Randle also limited Jusuf Nurkic to just 17 minutes of court time due to foul trouble.
New Lineup
PG Shabazz Napier (25)
SG Victor Oladipo (25)
SF Chandler Parsons (28)
PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (23)
CE Julius Randle (21)
Probably too far back to make a serious run at the playoffs, and there's been so much turnover this season (only Antetokounmpo was here at the beginning of the year, and the lone Lakers from last season still on the roster are Aaron White, Jimmer Fredette, and Cristiano Felicio), it'll take a while for the new roster to gel. But armed with this rotation and two potential lottery picks in what is rumored to be a deep draft, the Lakers might finally started delivering on their rebuild promise next season.
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