Lakers Propose Trade for Warriors’ Specialist to Fill Void Left by Alex Caruso
The Los Angeles Lakers have identified a pressing need for reliable perimeter shooting this offseason, although it was their defensive prowess that secured them the NBA championship in 2020—the sole title LeBron James and Anthony Davis have clinched in their five-year partnership.
In light of this, along with the Golden State Warriors potentially needing to shed salary to bolster their roster’s top end this summer, Sam Quinn of CBS Sports recently proposed a trade scenario where the Lakers would acquire Gary Payton II from the Warriors.
Quinn suggested, “The Warriors may need to unload some salary to make room for a high-profile star acquisition (or possibly to re-sign [Klay] Thompson without exceeding their budget). The Lakers have been seeking a replacement for Alex Caruso ever since his departure. Payton closely resembles him as a defensive stalwart on the perimeter, a modest shooter from three-point range, and a valuable contributor in off-ball offensive scenarios.”
Gary Payton II has built a reputation for above-average perimeter defense throughout his career, evidenced by his career defensive rating of 108.1—significantly better than the league average of 116.1 last season. Despite dealing with injuries in recent years, including appearances in just 22 and 44 regular-season games over the past two seasons, Payton was instrumental in the Warriors’ championship run in 2021-2022. Although he suffered an injury during the postseason, he returned to play a crucial role in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, which the Warriors won in six games.
During his tenure with the Warriors, Payton displayed decent accuracy from beyond the arc, shooting 35.8% during their championship season, hitting 50% in a limited number of attempts the following year, and maintaining a 36.4% success rate last season, according to Basketball Reference.
Regarding the trade dynamics, if the Warriors opt to part ways with Payton, the Lakers could potentially offer Max Christie as part of the deal. Christie, a recent signing for the Lakers on a four-year contract worth $32 million, is 21 years old and entering his third NBA season. Despite limited playing time, he has shown promise, averaging 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game while shooting 37.8% from three-point range across his first two seasons.
The Lakers’ immediate focus on contending for a championship aligns with their interest in Payton, viewing him as a valuable asset. On the other hand, if the Warriors decide to shift towards a future-oriented strategy, acquiring Christie could represent a move towards developing youthful potential.
In summary, Quinn’s proposed trade scenario underscores the Lakers’ pursuit of enhancing their roster with reliable shooting, while the Warriors weigh their options amidst potential roster adjustments and strategic shifts for the upcoming season.