The Los Angeles Lakers could use a high-level scoring guard with a championship on his resume.
A Golden State Warriors outcast unquestionably fits the bill, making him a valuable target for the Lakers during the trade season. However, the sixth-year pro wouldn’t come cheap.
“The Washington Wizards’ offer for LeBron James, featuring Jordan Poole and Alex Sarr, is an interesting but ultimately underwhelming one for the Lakers,” Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar wrote Thursday.
“Jordan Poole has shown flashes of scoring potential (20.4 points per game, 5.0 assists per game), but his inconsistency and tendency to be a liability on defense make him a risky proposition for a team trying to compete for a championship.”
“While Poole could provide scoring off the bench or potentially step into a starting role, he hasn’t yet proven he can be a reliable contributor on a winning team.”
“Alex Sarr, a highly-touted prospect, brings intrigue with his upside, but he’s unproven at the NBA level so far in his rookie season posting 10.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.”
“For the Wizards, this trade is all about reloading for the future, giving them LeBron’s leadership and star power while building around Kyle Kuzma and Bilal Coulibaly.”
“However, it’s hard to see how the Wizards could entice the Lakers with a deal that offers so little immediate return.”
Poole helped the Warriors secure an NBA title in 2022, but things quickly went downhill for the Michigan product.
After violently falling to the floor following a perfectly executed Draymond Green punch, Poole’s play on the hardwood began deteriorating.
Sure, Poole upped his scoring to 20.4 points per game during the 2022-23 season, but the former first-round pick was less efficient and more turnover-prone in Year 4.
The Warriors traded Poole to the Wizards in the summer of 2023, and the flashy guard has been solid with the losing franchise.
While he’s working toward limiting his turnovers, the NBA champion averages 20.4 points on 43.4% field goal shooting and 39.2% three-point shooting this season.
Poole would provide the Lakers with an electric perimeter-oriented asset who wishes to be a part of a stable organization.
If Los Angeles could find a way to acquire Poole without parting ways with James, a human freight train still going strong in Year 22, the Lakers could complete a deal before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
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