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NBA Trades: The pros and cons of a John Wall trade for the Lakers

By Zamir Bueno

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets sits on the bench during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center on October 22, 2021 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets sits on the bench during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center on October 22, 2021 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trades, John Wall, Lakers
Apr 23, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; John Wall #1 of the Houston Rockets shoots a three-point basket during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center, NBA Trades: The pros and cons of a John Wall trade for the Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports /

The Houston Rockets are reportedly willing to take Russell Westbrook off of the Los Angeles Lakers’ hands, as long as they get some type of compensation in return. They are open to trading John Wall to the Lakers for Russell Westbrook and a first-round pick.

But the question is, does it make sense for the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire John Wall? The answer is – yes and no. Currently, the Lakers run an offensive system centered around post-ups, pick and rolls, and transition possessions.

NBA Trades: How the Lakers would use John Wall

Los Angeles currently spends 18.6 percent of their possessions in transition, ranking third in the league in the category and averaging 21 per game. When the Lakers are not in transition, they are either in the pick and roll or post up.

The Lakers spend 7.2 percent of their possessions in the post (which ranks third in the league) averaging 8.2 possessions per game. On the other hand, they are currently ranked 23rd in pick and roll possessions, averaging 16.6 per game.

The current Los Angeles Lakers starting point guard, Russell Westbrook, is only involved in two of those offensive sets – transition and pick and roll. Westbrook currently accounts for 20.9 percent of the team’s transition possessions, averaging 4.4 per game this season.

He is responsible for a larger amount of the team’s pick and rolls as he is currently averaging 6.3 per game – 37.9 percent of the team’s possessions. Fortunately for the Los Angeles Lakers, Wall is comfortable in both of these areas.

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