Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Los Angeles Lakers
Thaddeus Young is now 32-years old and in his 14th season in the NBA, but has always been known as a legit low-post threat and aggressive rebounder. This is exactly the type of player the Lakers could use off their bench, especially with Anthony Davis being out with an injured calf and his return to be determined.
This team needs some help in the frontcourt and at a low price, they can get a guy like Thaddeus Young who you know what you are going to get with. He can score in double-figures any day of the week and can give the Lakers the big-bodied big man in the low-post they need on both ends of the court.
This season, Thaddeus Young has been a “glue guy” in a sense for the Bulls as he has been very versatile on the offensive end of the court. Whether it is being a passer from the low-post or an aggressive rebounder, Young has filled up the stat sheets on some nights this season and has proven that he can still play at a high-level.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope only really contributes to the Lakers as a catch-and-shoot wing and Talen Horton-Tucker is still a young player that is a “work-in-progress.” Horton-Tucker is not a key contributor for a championship caliber team yet, which is why trading him and KCP for Thaddeus Young and a future first-round pick could make a ton of sense.
Getting a veteran player like Thad Young who knows his role could be not just important for the Lakers chances of winning a title, but it would be important in taking a lot of pressure off of LeBron James. Not only does James always have the ball in his hands, but much like every other season, he is doing everything for his team to ensure their chances of success.
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Having a guy like Thaddeus Young takes a lot of pressure off of James because the veteran forward is a guy who can create for others as well. When LeBron is on the bench, Young can step up and help be a facilitator for others on the court, as well as being an aggressive, big body in the low-post.
This hypothetical move by the Lakers makes a ton of sense in terms of getting back to the NBA Finals and gives them the frontcourt depth they need with Anthony Davis being out. At full strength, Thad Young could still contribute at a high-level and be a great bench player for Los Angeles as they look to make yet another deep playoff run.
