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There’s no way around the fact that there are perfect and incompatible trade targets for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, even though the franchise’s fan base likely wants to believe there aren’t any misfits.
Regarding a three-time All-Star Sacramento Kings forward, Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes is under the impression that the Lakers are the worst fit for the 30-year-old big man.
“The Lakers could use a foundational big man, but (Domantas) Sabonis is not the player to pair with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. L.A. would score at will against opponents, but then they'd give up just as many,” Hughes Sunday.
“Sabonis can fit into cap room or come through trade once the Lakers use their spending power, with players like Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, and others. Los Angeles can also send the No. 25 pick, but Sabonis is just the wrong direction as a catastrophic roster fit defensively.”
From a purely defensive vantage point, Hughes is correct in stating Sabonis would be nowhere near the best possible fit for the Lakers. The Gonzaga product isn’t great laterally, hasn’t perfected the hedge-and-cover tactic in pick-and-roll coverages, and doesn't exactly have a well-documented reputation as a strong interior defender/shot blocker.
It’s truly a shame, as Sabonis’ offensive versatility still makes him a high-value trade target. Unfortunately, his defensive limitations will prevent him from having the two-way impact the Lakers are seeking from the frontcourt contributors.
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