New Look Lakers to Take on Timberwolves: Fan Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled the trigger on some trade deadline deals on March 15. One of the moves involved Luke Walton, Jason Kapono, and a protected 2012 first-round draft pick heading to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for point guard Ramon Sessions and forward Christian Eyenga. Sessions was a long sought after point guard that the Lakers desperately needed. In just 24 minutes per game he is averaging almost 10.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists on the year while backing up Kyrie Irving.

The second move will be a little harder for Lakers fans to swallow. Not because it's a bad trade, but because we have to say goodbye to a player who has meant so much to our franchise, helping the team win five NBA Championships. Derek Fisher was traded to the Houston Rockets, along with the 2012 first-round pick the Lakers acquired in the Lamar Odom trade, in exchange for big man Jordan Hill. Both Hill and Sessions will receive their physicals prior to their March 16 matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves make their way into town to face a Laker team that has gotten a facelift without losing any of its core players. For me, the Lakers two trades were very positive for the team. Hill is a positive force on the floor averaging five points and five rebounds per game in just 14 minutes per contest and Sessions will give the Lakers some athleticism and speed at the point guard position.

I couldn't be happier that the Lakers were able to retain Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, and Pau Gasol - even though Bryant and Bynum were never really the center of trade rumors. These three players are the core of the Lakers and now with Sessions and Hill added into the mix, the Lakers could very well be a more dangerous team. I half-heartedly wanted to see Gasol get traded, but only because of his regression and being owed close to $20 million per season for the next two years.

The Lakers have won four straight games including their last three on the road, improving their road record to 9-14. Hopefully the addition of Sessions and Hill will help the Lakers play on the road. But for now, the Lakers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves - who have lost to Los Angeles 17 consecutive times. The Timberwolves will have Kevin Love who did not play the last time these two teams met on March 9 in a 105-102 loss.

Prediction: Lakers 110 - Timberwolves 100

David is co-founder of wrapupp sports blog where fresh content is posted daily and present sports blogs and sports opinions - all with a West Coast bias. Growing up in the Bay Area, David is a huge supporter of all the local sports teams; the Giants, Athletics, Warriors, Sharks, 49ers, and Raiders. His one fault, admittedly, as many of his friends and family would say, is his love for the Los Angeles Lakers. Growing up, Magic Johnson was his favorite basketball player and he fell in love with the team. He chalks it up to, "Not knowing any better". Now his love for sports has turned just as academic as it is intuitive and he follows most all sports all over the nation.

You can follow David on Twitter: @officialwrapupp

Sources:

NBA.com. Lakers vs. Timberwolves Preview. NBA 2012.

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