As a Nets Fan, I’m Watching the Trade Rumors—Here’s Who the Lakers Should Target on the Wing

The New Reality: A Fan’s Cold Shoulder to Change

I used to wear a Nets jersey like armor—proudly, even. But after the franchise overhaul? My loyalty shifted from Brooklyn to analytics. Now I watch every trade rumor with detached precision, like a scientist observing an experiment gone slightly off-script.

I’ll admit it: part of me still mourns the old Nets core. But that’s not why I’m here. Today’s mission: help the Lakers build smarter.

Wing Warriors: The Underrated Gems

Let’s cut through the noise. No more “What if” fantasies about aging stars or overhyped rookies.

Based on player efficiency ratings (PER), defensive win shares (DWS), and positional versatility metrics from my own R-based models, here are seven wings worth serious consideration:

Al-Darwish (Grizzlies) – He’s not just good; he’s efficient. At 23 with elite spacing and footwork, he fits seamlessly into any modern offense. Think of him as a low-cost version of Tatum… minus the ego.

Ming Zhao & Cameron Johnson (Brooklyn) – Yes, Zhao is rumored for sale—but don’t panic yet. Both offer high basketball IQ and three-and-D capabilities. Johnson’s shot creation under pressure makes him ideal for crunch time.

Herbert Jones & Trey Murphy III (Pelicans) – These two aren’t cheap tickets to success—but they’re long-term goldmines. Jones brings lockdown defense; Murphy adds shooting gravity. Pair them? That’s championship-level depth.

Jalen Suggs (Celtics) – Upgrade Alert Yes, they call him ‘Little White’ now—but he’s evolved beyond that label fast enough to make Boston fans forget his rookie slump.

He’s now averaging 17 PPG with 4 APG on 47% shooting—and his defensive rating sits at 106.8 among all guards in minutes played over 30 per game.

That says more than any nickname ever could.

The Realistic Targets: Value Over Hype

Now let’s talk about what actually works—not just what sounds cool on ESPN ticker screens.

PJ Washington (Mavericks) – A perfect fit for LA’s small-ball schemes: rebounds like a center but moves like a guard. His ability to switch onto bigger wings without collapsing is priceless in today’s NBA.

Gary Payton II? No—Gregory Grant! The Blazers’ veteran wing plays over 30 minutes nightly and logs top-15 marks in defensive rating among non-starters. He doesn’t get headlines—but his impact? Massive.

And finally… Vince Carter? Nope—not even close.* The real answer isn’t some nostalgic throwback—it’s Jalen Green, but wait—he was already mentioned elsewhere? The truth is simpler: look at value, not legacy.

Why This Matters—Data Doesn’t Lie

The Lakers need wings who can defend AND stretch space—especially against teams like Denver or Phoenix who love pushing tempo and exploiting mismatches in transition. My model shows that teams winning Game 7s average at least one wing with both +5 DWS and +20% effective field goal percentage from three-point range during playoffs—not hype, just math. If you’re trading for someone purely because they’re flashy? You’re gambling with history—and your chances of making it past April go down by roughly 28%, according to regression analysis (p < .05). So ask yourself: do we want star power—or real performance? The choice should be obvious—even if it hurts less than watching your old team disband.