Key Takeaways:
– Los Angeles Lakers may look to boost their shooting with Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II.
– The potential move for Payton II serves as a suitable replacement for former Laker, Alex Caruso.
– Max Christie could serve as the driving factor in this trade if the Lakers put short-term success over their future.
The LA Lakers, in search of more precise deep shooting, have expressed interest in Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II. According to a recently proposed trade pitch by CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn, the Lakers could eye the shooting guard amidst the Warriors’ need for salary reduction. This potential move follows the Lakers’ agenda to find a replacement for Alex Caruso.
Gary Payton II’s Potential Impact on the Lakers
Payton II’s career has been highlighted by his above-average perimeter defense and decent 3-point shooting. Despite injury issues affecting his game in the past two seasons, Payton II demonstrated enormous significance during the Warriors’ championship run in 2021-22. He made a triumphant return in the finals against the Boston Celtics, despite suffering an injury during that postseason.
Looking into his shooting precision, Payton II hit 35.8% from behind the 3-point line during the Warriors’ championship season. His shooting performance improved to an impressive 50% in the subsequent season in limited game time and remained commendable at 36.4% last season. Thus, on the Lakers’ quest to enhance their deep shooting, Payton II emerges as an ideal target.
Max Christie as the Lakers’ Trade Chip?
On the other hand, Max Christie from the Lakers could be in the mix as a trade element. L.A. recently signed Christie to a four-year deal worth $32 million. Despite limited game time, Christie has shown tremendous potential in his two NBA seasons. He boasts a 37.8% success rate on his 3-point tries, contributing 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists last season.
However, in view of the Lakers’ winning ambitions, Christie appears superfluous while Payton II emerges as a valuable asset. For the Warriors, if they decide to press the reset button, Christie would represent a move towards youthful potential.
Potential Challenges for the Warriors
Golden State faces a potential crossroads depending on their cap construction. Notably, they could be looking ahead to a challenging season if they lose Klay Thompson to a competitor. Currently, the Warriors heavily rely on Stephen Curry, who remains a top-10 player and Draymond Green, a commendable defender.
However, without significant improvements from their young roster, success in the Western Conference appears challenging. It leaves room for debate whether the Warriors should consider the salary-burdened $9.1 million Payton II in their squad or hit the reset button with younger talents such as Christie.
The Trade Scenario
The proposed trade pitch sees the Lakers in an advantageous position, providing them the opportunity to fill the void left by Caruso. While Payton II could improve their deep shooting, the Warriors could capitalize on Christie’s youthful potential.
In conclusion, while the trade pitch suggests a promising scenario for the Lakers, it remains to be seen how this will unfold. The final outcome would largely depend on Golden State’s strategies – whether they aim for immediate success or build a younger, future-focused roster.