NBA Trade Grades: Lakers acquiring Reggie Bullock from Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers
It wasn’t the trade Lakers fans have been yearning for, but adding Reggie Bullock — even if it’s only for the rest of the season — is a savvy move.
Turning a seldom-used rookie and a 2021 second-rounder into a wing who’s averaging 12.1 points and 2.6 3-pointers per game on 38.8 percent shooting from long range — just hours after LeBron James suffered the worst defeat of his career — was a nice way to temporarily distract people from all the turmoil engulfing this franchise.
More trades have to be coming to salvage the season, especially now that pretty much everyone on the roster has been involved in an Anthony Davis trade rumor. It’s clearly taking a toll on their focus and performance, and could get even worse if a trade isn’t made before Thursday and these guys have to play out the rest of the season knowing how close they are to the chopping block.
With that being said, adding Bullock’s floor-spacing to the NBA’s second-worst 3-point shooting team will certainly help. He should open up driving lanes for LeBron James, and will be able to make defenses pay for leaving him open with his catch-and-shoot prowess:
Though he’s on an expiring deal, Bullock will only turn 28 next month and the Lakers will own his Bird Rights. If he performs well and another team doesn’t swoop in during free agency, Los Angeles might be able to re-sign him and help round out their rotation for next season.
Even if he doesn’t stick around, it’s become clear the Lakers’ (read: LeBron’s) patience is wearing thin. Trading in the raw Mykhailiuk and a second-rounder that’s still three drafts away is a meager sacrifice to provide a much-needed upgrade on the wing.
Svi Mykhailiuk quickly became a fan favorite in Summer League, but unfortunately, this is the nature of being one of the NBA’s most prestigious franchises and having the best player in the association. This is the first of many casualties the Lakers’ youth movement will suffer in assembling a contender around LeBron James, but at least in this case, the damage is minimal.
Big changes are likely on the horizon beyond swapping Mykhailiuk for an older player on an expiring deal, but Bullock could have a longer future in L.A. depending on how he fits in and he’ll upgrade the talent. Patience was preached all summer long, but everyone knew that wouldn’t last.
It’s time to start winning, and the moment Anthony Davis or another star becomes available, this precursor move will be peanuts compared to the roster shakeups that are coming next. Whether those moves happen before Feb. 7 or not, Bullock can help the Lakers both this season and potentially beyond.
Grade: A-