It’s clear that the Lakers are not getting as much help off the bench as they did a year ago. Although as of late, guards Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown have stepped up their play, other players such as Sasha Vuyacic & Luke Walton have not. And now with the recent injury news of Walton with a bad back, it appears that the Lakers are going to have to make a move. And that is what leads me to this very appealing trade scenario. Here we go!
Adam Morrison to New Jersey for Keyon Dooling & Sean Williams
Okay here is how this breaks down. Adam Morrison is terrible. Everybody knows this. But he has something that many teams, including the New Jersey Nets want. An EXPIRING CONTRACT! Morrison has only this year left on a contract that is worth $5.2 million. So as terrible as he is, that contract frees up some serious cash for interested teams.
Why Keyon Dooling?
Keyon Dooling is fiesty defensive/athletic guard. He’s 6-3 and he can play the point guard position. In fact that is what the Nets and his last team the Orlando Magic have played him at. Phil Jackson loves tall point guards. Keyon fits that profile. And the Lakers are in desperate need of an athletic defensive presence at the point guard position, to come off the bench for Derek Fisher. Keyon Dooling would fit this role perfectly.
Keyon has 2 years left on his contract worth about $3.5 million. Remember the contract total amounts have to be equal in order to make a trade. So the remaining ammount of cash would equal out by throwing PF Sean Williams into the trade. He has 1 year $1.6 million left on his contract. So yet, he too is an expiring contract. But by making this trade the New Jersey Nets would clear $3.5 Million off their salary going into next season, giving them even more room to make some big free-agent signings this off-season.
A Little About Sean Williams
Sean Williams could be a helpful contributor off the bench for the Lakers similar to how D.J Mbenga is. He’s a big at 6-10 and is very athletic. The guy has ups and can blocks shots and finish around the rim. I couldn’t see him getting very much playing time for the Lakers, but he could get some garbage time to give bigs Gasol and Bynum some rest.
This trade makes sense for both teams. The Nets need cap room so they can sign Lebron James, one other star like Chris Bosh, and any other key contributer to their squad to help Lebron win. The Lakers want to win now! And they have a contract in Adam Morrison who they are getting absolutely nothing out of. A win win for everybody!
