Sam Smith the very popular and famous Chicago sports writer has recently posted an article about why and how the Chicago Bulls should make a move in trading power forward Ben Wallace to the Los Angeles Lakers. He made great points like how the Lakers will need a guy like Wallace while Bynum is out with his knee injury. And also how Joakim Noah is basically taking over Ben Wallace’s position with the Bulls. He mentions that the Lakers could trade Kwame Brown and his expiring contract along with Vladamir Radmanovic for Ben Wallace. This would give the Lakers more strength and productivity up front, meanwhile freeing up cap space for the Bulls at the end of this season. I love the idea! Here’s why:
Top 5 Reasons To Get Ben Wallace
- One on One Defense – Ben Wallace is a terrific one on one defender, something the Lakers really lack. Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, and maybe Trevor Ariza (who is currently injured) are there only effective one on one defenders. Ben Wallace gives you a guy in the paint who can defend one on one. This will become even more important come playoff time against certain guys like Tim Duncan, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudamire etc.
- A Great Team Defender – As good as Ben Wallace is as a one on one defender he is an even better team defender. He helps his teammates often on the weakside and does many lilttle things that help make great defensive teams great. Let’s be honest, the only the way the Lakers can really compete for a championship this year is if they somehow become a great defensive team. Ben Wallace will help them become that.
- Rebounding – Need I say more. The guy is more than a solid rebounder, he actually is an over-performing rebounder meaning he gets you not only defensive rebounds, but many offensive rebounds that you normally never get in a game. This part of his game makes him a game changer.
- Physicality – Ben Wallace is tough. And I mean really tough. Consider him a 6’9″ Derek Fisher. He’s big, he’s lean, and he’s a physical machine. The guy is intimidating in the paint and will help a Lakers team who is soft at times to be tough. His physicality would really give teams like Dallas and Phoenix alot of problems.
- Experience - The guy has a championship ring! He’s been to the NBA Finals twice in his career. He would be joining a team that has only two (Kobe and DFish) players with rings. Adding a third player of this stature would make the Lakers a much more experienced team heading into the playoffs. Once again making them even more of a championship contender this year.
There are some negatives. Like the fact that he is getting a little old and he carries a pretty fat contract. But overall I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. This is a move that Mitch Kupchak needs to strongly consider making. A move like this would supercede in my opinion getting Chris Webber, Jermaine O’Neal, or anybody else because it would allow you to keep your core guys of Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. Check out what the starting 5 would be until Bynum got back:
- Derek Fisher
- Kobe Bryant
- Luke Walton
- Lamar Odom
- Ben Wallace
Not bad. I guess the only real problem I have with this is that we would be giving up Vladamir Radmanovic. I love the guy’s three point shooting abilities. Obviously it would make senses to get rid of Kwame Brown, but maybe it would work better if the Lakers could include Chris Mihm instead. But with contract salaries that may not be possible. If any of you have a better trade possibility or have any ideas on the subject please comment back to this article.
