LA Lakers

For months the Lakers tried to attract a defensive minded point guard, but alas, the deadline has now passed without the Lakers making a substantial addition at the point guard position.  They were able to pry Keaton Wallace from the Utah Jazz as the team attempted to pair down their luxury bill, and he's played a role, but he hasn't been quite what the Lakers brass expected when they acquired a 40% NBA three point shooter who averaged almost a steal per game in only 13 minutes of play(career).  He has shouldered a load in terms of minutes though, as the Lakers have been without Coby White during a couple of recent weeks of this mid-point in the season.  Between Wallace and the up-and-comer Brandon Williams, who the Lakers also traded for earlier this season, they have managed to bring just under league average play to the point guard position.  The Lakers brass have really appreciated the growth in Williams game since coming over from Houston, but they feel he is best served in the 2^nd unit where his scoring abilities can be more apply showcased, vs overshadowed in a supplementary role to stars like Brandon Ingram and Victor Wembanyama.  In those two guys, the Lakers know what they have. 

As has been the story for much of the season, Coby White will be one of the Lakers x-factors.  When he's healthy, the Lakers have had a record that rivals the NSL's best.  When he is not, the Lakers look like an average team bound for an early playoff exit.  The early returns in NBA Charlotte are strong.  Coby White is averaging 16 points and 3 assists in just over 20 minutes per game in the month of March.  He has finished as the high point scorer for a surging Hornets team multiple times since his inclusion.  He's taken over the Colin Sexton role, and dare I say, he's upgraded the role for the team.  If White continues to flourish in the limelight in Charlotte, he has the chance to take this team(the NSL Lakers) to the next level.  Shooting and playmaking have been two attributes sorely missed by the Lakers at the PG position for multiple stretches this season, and the absence always seems to rear its ugly head distinctly.  White can, and has changed that when available.

We will see how the Lakers look down the stretch run this season.  Health permitting, the team has all the pieces to make a deep playoff run and contend for an NSL title, but they can't afford to miss any of the key pieces that make this team dangerous.  The last piece of the puzzle may have been brought in just at the strike of midnight, NSL deadline time.  The Lakers sent out Jusuf Nurkic and brought in Jakob Poeltl.  Poeltl hopefully won't see too much run, as if he does, things have gone bad for the Lakers.  Victor Wembanyama is the heart, soul, engine, car cabin, headlights, brake lights, steering wheel, center console, upholstery, tires, chairs, windows, windshield wipers, and door handles of the car that is the Lakers, but if Poeltl can come in and occupy 10-15 minutes of backup center play while diminishing the severe drop in impact at the center position the Lakers have seen in recent weeks when Wembanyama rested, he will be just what the Lakers faithful had hoped when the deal broke, and sent the NSL into a frenzy. 

Special shoutout to GM Ethan of the Bucks.  The Lakers and Bucks sat down to break bread multiple times this season, and both teams look the better for it.