The LA Lakers added Marcus Smart to address their defensive issues, but they want to add another former Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite a rocky start, the Los Angeles Lakers have made the best of an important offseason so far. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office have done a stellar job.
Of course, Pelinka’s fumbling of negotiations with Dorian Finney-Smith was not a good look for the Lakers.
But they absolutely made up for the loss, as the Lakers signed Jake LaRavia and Dorian Finney-Smith to add to their wing and center depth.
Things only got better when Luka Doncic helped recruit Marcus Smart to the Lakers. This was an impressive step to add to their guard depth.
Smart is the Lakers’ best perimeter defender since Alex Caruso. But it turns out that the Lakers might try to bring another former Defensive Player of the Year, one with significant championship experience.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty ImagesLA Lakers named the most logical landing spot for Jrue Holiday
The Lakers might add yet another Boston Celtics defensive standout. According to Grant Afseth of Fastbreak Journal, the Lakers’ name comes up in discussions about Jrue Holiday.
While Afset admits that there are no active conversations taking place, multiple NBA sources told him that the Lakers could look to bring in Holiday to help Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
“Multiple sources recently told FastbreakJournal.com that Jrue Holiday is a name to monitor, particularly as a potential target for the Los Angeles Lakers.
“That’s not to say active conversations are taking place, but his name continues to surface in NBA circles as the team evaluates options to add more talent around LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
“Other teams are monitoring the situation, though the Lakers are widely viewed as one of the most natural fits if Portland explores a deal.”
Of course, Afseth mentions that the Lakers are only going to be able to pursue a deal if Holiday and the Portland Trail Blazers agree to a trade or a buyout.
Jrue Holiday fits perfectly with LeBron James and Luka Doncic
Jrue Holiday could be a huge boost to the Lakers if they can land him. The last two times Holiday has joined a team with multiple All-Stars, he has helped a team win a championship.
He did it in 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks, and last year with the Boston Celtics. With all due respect to the All-Stars on those teams, Luka Doncic and LeBron James are a cut above them as a star pairing.
Adding Holiday would give the Lakers yet another defensive option to guard players on the perimeter. Furthermore, he also helps add to their guard depth.
However, adding Holiday to a guard rotation of Doncic, Smart, and Austin Reaves might be crowding the spot. It might be prudent for JJ Redick to use Holiday as a proxy forward during games.
Whatever the case may be, Lakers fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that Holiday and the Trail Blazers agree to let the former All-Star leave.