Lakers insider Jovan Buha believes Los Angeles should consider trading Adou Thiero or Cameron Carr if it can land a starting-level player such as Herb Jones, Dereck Lively, or Daniel Gafford.
The new-look Los Angeles Lakers are looking good so far to start the season, with their expectations rising following their opening-night win against the Warriors.
While Lakers fans' expectations are rising, there's still a widespread belief that this Lakers roster doesn't have enough to stay competitive until the end and compete with the likes of San Antonio or Oklahoma City.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha, during his latest Q&A session, was asked about the Lakers' possible moves in the trade market this season that could push them over the hump, with names like Herb Jones or Dereck Lively popping up as attainable players and potential young players such as Adou Thiero or Cameron Carr being involved in a deal for such caliber starting help.
Buha stressed that landing either Jones or Lively would be difficult, but he admitted he has become more open to moving either of the Lakers' young players if the right deal becomes available.
"You're unlikely to get both of those guys. I would say it's even unlikely they get one of those guys, or guys of that caliber, but that would be something to strive for, in my opinion," Buha said.
"The more I think about it, I am coming around to potentially trading Adou or Carr in the right deal."
Lakers would need significant return
Herb Jones
Herb Jones
Buha made it clear that Los Angeles should not move either player simply to make a trade.
He mentioned Jones and Lively as examples of the level of player that could justify such a move, while also bringing up Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford as a potentially more realistic option.
"It has to be someone of the Herb Jones or Dereck Lively caliber," Buha explained.
"When healthy, they're both starting-level players. I think it has to be that type of player, or a locked-in, long-term backup center that you love, a guy under contract for multiple years."
"I guess maybe Daniel Gafford is someone who could be in that mix. Lively too, but I think Gafford is more realistic and is someone Dallas would prefer to trade."
Thiero's health becoming a concern
Adou Thiero
Adou Thiero
Buha believes Thiero's concerning health situation could become one of the driving forces leading to a potential trade, although he still believes he could be a valuable piece for the Lakers.
"With this update on the knee situation with Adou, I am concerned that he's just not going to be able to stay healthy for more than a few weeks at a time," he said.
"It's not about the talent. It's not about the skill set. It's not about the ability. I'm still bullish on what Adou can be," he said.
"But the reality is that he's had this knee issue now for over a year and a half. If that's not going to improve or be something that's stable and consistent, then at some point you just can't trust it, and you do need to try to flip him while he still has some value."
Carr's timeline may not fit Lakers
Cameron Carr
Cameron Carr
On the other hand, talking about Cameron Carr's potential involvement in trades, he believes Carr is not on the right timeline for the Lakers, who are trying to compete, pointing to comments from head coach JJ Redick suggesting Carr still needs significant physical development before becoming a regular rotation player.
"Everything the Lakers are telegraphing right now is that he is not a current rotation guy for JJ," Buha said.
"You do not say that about a player that you're projecting to be a rotation guy," Buha argued.
"That, to me, is code for, 'This dude is a project. We don't think he's ready physically, and we think he needs to work on his body to get there.'"
With Doncic already in his prime, Buha believes the Lakers cannot afford to wait several years for every young prospect to develop.
"Luka's 27 now. Luka's in his prime now. You should be trying to maximize that window," he said.
"If Carr is the 12th guy for JJ and Adou can't stay healthy, then if you can get a starter for those guys, I think you've got to do that."
Still, Buha noted that he would currently require a higher return to trade Carr than Thiero because of the uncertainty surrounding Thiero's health.
"With Carr, I'm just a little concerned that he might be more of a Year 3 guy rather than a Year 1 or Year 2 guy, at least in JJ's eyes," Buha concluded. "And if that's the case, I don't know if the Lakers can wait."
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