FTR, this is a devil’s advocate post. I don’t expect us to even consider trying to put a package together for Lavine, and I don’t think our depth is worth trading for him. I’d rather have Caruso, frankly.

However, a Lavine trade would fix a huge problem we’ve had with this team this season so far: a complete inability to score with LeBron on the bench.

Let’s take one rumor I’ve seen about what that trade would look like: D’Lo, Taurean, JHS, and a few picks for Lavine (I am not advocating this, just as a theoretical.) Let’s say the starting lineup in that case is Reaves, Lavine, Vando, LeBron, and AD. Good starting lineup for sure. Now, imagine a LeBron-on-the-bench lineup of Vincent, Lavine, Reddish, Rui/Wood, AD (since we typically stagger LeBron and AD). You’re telling me that lineup isn’t going to crush most team’s second lineup? It has the scoring and plenty of defense to compensate for Lavine’s weakness there to really keep us going with LeBron out.

I think the Lakers have a plethora of long, defensive wings, and as long as AD is healthy, I think the team can compensate for a weak defensive player like Lavine as long as they solve our LeBron-less minutes problem.

Again. I don’t expect this to happen. But frankly, I think we need to do SOMETHING about our inability to hold it down with LeBron out. We can’t expect Cam to go for 20 every night like he did against Portland. And getting back Gabe and Vando likely doesn’t solve that problem either. We gotta figure that part out if we hope to win a title.

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