The Lakers seem poised to be a top regular season team but are not set up well for the playoffs. To compete with OKC, Denver or Houston, they need more defense.

This version gets them Jrue, Thybulle and Rob Williams, upping their defense at all 3 levels. Jrue fills the Smart job and thybulle the Vando job but better. Rui is a loss but manageable.

Portland is not going anywhere with this year. They get off Jrue’s contract. They probably won’t resign thybulle and Williams. They get Allen to improve their shooting. Maybe they resign Rui who is a good fit and a prospect in Thiero. Maybe lakers add a pick swap.

Suns are weirdly competitive and Smart and Vando give them defenders in the rotation.