Julius Randle is thrilled to be donning the purple and gold
Mere hours after pulling the trigger on a controversial T.J. McConnell trade, the Lakers courted yet more disputes when they shockingly shipped Nik Stauskas and Arturas Gudaitis to the Brooklyn Nets for Julius Randle and the Indiana Pacers' pick in the upcoming draft. The Lakers were reportedly unhappily with Stauskas' defensive metrics (47.7% DSR, 0.94 PA/SF, 1.5 TOFC) and penchant for now and again shooting the team out of games. Much like Walter Tavares this past offseason, the team made the decision to move him now, rather than next year's RFA move.
Gudaitis had an extended run as the starting center, but failed to impress, recording just a half-block a game with a 0.96 PA/SF and 1.1 TOFC - hardly the sort of defensive numbers expected for someone who was supposed to have promise as a stopper. And that's without getting to his 39.8% shooting, and a crying need to improve his shooting form - attention he wasn't going to get on a franchise that's heavily invested in correcting Shabazz Napier and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Ironically, the deal is precisely what the Lakers got in return for Tavares, making the total net trade:
Walter Tavares
Larry Nance Jr (#8 pick)
for
Julius Randle
Devin Booker (#11 pick)
Indiana Pacers 2018 1st round pick
Larry Nance Jr
In his rookie season, he's shown excellent 3 point shooting touch and some ability to crash the offensive glass, but is very much a work in progress. Projects as a stretch 4 or hybrid 3 point shooting forward once he develops his scoring and offensive rebounding instincts.
Devin Booker
Like Nance, Jr. noted for exceptional rawness. Didn't receive much PT the first half of the season, but has started getting consistent court time since late December, as the Lakers' playoff chances grow more and more remote. Horrendous shooting mechanics at the moment, but has defensive upside and could end up similar to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after unexpectedly dropping in the draft.
Do the Lakers regret trading Walter Tavares?
Walter Tavares Statlines:
Counting: 13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks, 25 MPG
Shooting %: 58.8 FG, 68.4% FT
Defensive: 1.0 PA/SF; 1.4 TOFC
Advanced: 62.6% TS; 5.3% AST; 13.8% TO; 16.6% RB
Julius Randle Statlines:
Counting: 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.2 blocks, 23 MPG
Shooting %: 52.3 FG, 66.8% FT
Defensive: 0.83 PA/SF, 0.8 TOFC
Advanced: 56.7% TS; 7.5% AST; 10% TO; 18.4% RB
Comparing the two players, Tavares is a more disruptive defender, but Randle uses his body better to prevent points being scored and is a vastly superior rebounder. Tavares' shooting is among the best in the entire league, draws fouls better and is a far more intelligent player. On the flip side, Randle is much more ball-secure and somewhat less prone to foul trouble. The difference in FTA is also much less than what scouts would predict (5 for Tavares vs 4.3 for Randle) due to the latter's ability to command the ball to be fouled and get to the line.
The big red flag, of course, is Randle's durability - he's been injured 9 times in 2.5 seasons - including a broken wrist, broken elbow, and broken toe. Neither one has broken much past the 27 MPG mark (26.9 high for Randle, 27.5 for Tavares), and it remains to be seen if either one will improve on that measure. Many scouts predict Tavares is what he is, but believe Randle still has room to develop as a scorer and free throw shooter, being just 21 to the Cape Verdean's 25. In terms of finances, Tavares is an RFA this season, whereas Randle is in the third year of his rookie contract.
Projected Lineup
PG Shabazz Napier
SG Chandler Parsons
SF DeMar DeRozan
PF Julius Randle
CE Omer Asik
6th Giannis Antetokounmpo
Without a reliable 3 point gunner after trading Stauskas, it's almost certain that the Lakers will freefall to the bottom of the standings, as opponents will simply zone them (see: Denver Nuggets for another example). But armed with two probable lottery picks in their own selection and Indiana's, and potential cap space two summers from now (depending on what Napier gets, Asik's PO decision, and what ultimately happens with Parsons), there's still hope for optimism in the coming seasons.
"A lot of people feel like we took a step back in trading TJ and Nik," GM Jestor said. "But the pairing wasn't working, and we needed some more potentially explosive talent. We feel like Chandler and Julius address some crucial need areas on our roster - Chandler giving us a two way talent and Julius providing us a scoring, attacking 4 who is an exceptional rebounder. In fact, we've gone from the poor for position rebounding tandem of Giannis (who we still love) and Arturas to Julius and Asik. That's a big step up."
2028
