The NBA trade deadline is officially two weeks away, and as key players begin to be moved, many are still wondering what the Los Angeles Lakers will do. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin has reported on the team’s mentality heading into the February madness. He outlined three routes the Lakers could take going forward—one of those being a major move, but not right away.
NBA Rumors: Could the Lakers Stay Put for a Summer Splash?
Background
Lakers fans can hope and pray for another season-saving trade, but head coach Darvin Ham appeared to push back against the idea, per McMenamin:
“We know we have a hell of a 1-2 punch with AD and Bron. And it’s just guys getting comfortable and being aggressive and not waiting for those two guys to do everything. Play your part, be supportive, but also be a threat yourself. Be deliberate. Be decisive. So we can help give those guys the support they need.”
McMenamin added that the Lakers have explored multiple avenues towards improvement—from shaking up the rotation and trading for Dejounte Murray, to making smaller trades in favor of addressing smaller but vital needs. In the latter regard, he noted that LA has expressed interest in Andre Drummond, Dorian Finney-Smith, Bruce Brown, and—surprise—Dennis Schröder.
The Latest on the Lakers’ Offseason Aspirations
With the way the Lakers are playing now, it’s understandable why many prefer to keep the team as it is. Injuries have prevented the Lakers from reaching their full potential. It also appears that Darvin Ham is coming to his senses when it comes to his lineup decisions. Additionally, the Lakers will face a crossroads with what to do with D’Angelo Russell, who, as mentioned previously, has been playing elite basketball over the past week:
“In a one-for-one deal involving Russell, the Lakers doubt they’ll be able to find any player to fully complement James and Davis the way Russell’s floor spacing and court awareness on offense does, team sources told ESPN.
It will become clear soon enough whether Russell’s improved play of late will help his chances of staying on the roster, or whether this hot streak is merely upping his trade value.”
The Lakers letting things roll reportedly comes with loftier goals: landing a “bona fide star”—the likes of Trae Young or Donovan Mitchell—in a blockbuster offseason trade.
The idea, in theory, makes sense. LA will have three first-rounders to trade this summer—one of the 2024 or 2025 picks via New Orleans, and two of their own in 2029 and 2031. Attaching the expanded capital to the salaries of Russell and Rui Hachimura might be enough to put them in the running for a third star like Young or Mitchell. There’s been plenty of debate over whether or not they need another star, but the two are in similar situations. Both Young and Mitchell are uber-talented players stuck on rebuilding Eastern Conference teams. If the Lakers have even a slight chance at throwing their hats in the ring, it might be worth it.
Lakers Thinking Ahead: Life After LeBron?
Given LeBron James’s contract situation—a Player Option in 2024 with his son, Bronny, potentially entering the upcoming draft—the Lakers will have to fortify their future this summer. They can’t afford to wait any longer, especially with James’s future up in the air. A move like this could be just what they need, regardless of LeBron’s decision.
Still, there is quite a bit of risk if the Lakers stay put and don’t improve while conference rivals do and reap the rewards. However, they’re also being smart by putting this option on the table. The team’s core without LeBron might be able to survive if he leaves this offseason. But, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If they don’t do anything significant now, the Lakers should put themselves in a position to make another win-now move so Anthony Davis doesn’t have to carry the load by himself.
It’s clear that improving the Lakers is a double-edged sword with these two options, but you can’t go wrong with either of them.
The Last Word on the Lakers: Is No Move the Right Move?
Overall, the Lakers should still get as far as they can with current negotiations before considering a trade for a third star. Unless the roster as constructed can turn things around, the team would be remiss to not go after players who can help them this season. If all else fails, then the Lakers should go big this summer. Until then, they must capitalize on their recent momentum any way they can—whether it’s shaking things up or staying put.
