You Do the Math: The New(?) Los Angeles Lakers

Coming off the bench, this season Russell Westbrook has averaged 1.5 rebounds less (6.2 vs 7.9) than Jarred Vanderbilt, a rebounding specialist, even though Vanderbilt started most of his games.  He's averaged more points that Malik Beasley (15.9 vs. 13.4), a scoring specialist, even though Beasley has started more games.  And he's averaged almost as many points (15.9 vs. 17.9) and more assists (7.5 vs 6.2) than D'Angelo Russell, a scoring PG, even though Russell has started every Timberwolves game.

So all things considered, such as the fact that the Lakers already have a couple of quality wings in Hachimura and Walker IV, this isn't an upgrade in talent but rather one in depth.  And in the grand scheme of the Lakers, that depth is probably going to prove insignificant.

THOMAS BRYANT vs MO BAMBA

Even though it involved two different trades, what ESPN is essentially reporting is that the Lakers got rid of Thomas Bryant and replaced him with Mo Bamba.  When I first heard they acquired Bamba for Beverly, I was more excited.  Now that I found out they got rid of Bryant also, that excitement has been tempered.

I believe that Bamba is a better all-around fit for the Lakers style.  Mo is sorta like a Russell Westbrook, i.e. someone whom the media seems to be against for one reason or another.  So even though he's having a down season compared to last year (since he's no longer a starter), I also feel he will be a better fit next to AD.  But Bryant is a quality bigman who has played hard for LAL, and speaking of AD, he's always hurt.  So why did they give up depth at C for draft picks if they want to compete for a title now?

And speaking of playing hard for the Lakers, Patrick Beverly really did give his all, for whatever it's worth.  This is one of the reasons that Lebron and LAL have like bad karma and shit.  But maybe he can push Markelle up to the allstar level.  One step forward, two steps backwards lol.

YOU DO THE MATH

You can only put five players on the floor at the same time, and the Lakers now having more depth doesn't mean that Lebron will now miraculously start playing good defense or that AD will get healthy (by this point, it's safe to say that he's permanently at least one step slower).  Getting Bamba, if they decide to start him next to AD, is huge.  But then, who's coming off the bench at C?

Also, I guess Russell is like a poor man's Kyrie Irving, so Lebron got his smallish scoring PG/SG to play with after all.  And then you slot Hachimura or Walker in at the 3, that's a pretty formidable lineup.  But then, how does that matchup to the new Suns?