Before entering the 2024-25 season, the Lakers were linked to several big name free agents in the summer. Ultimately. it led to a dull offseason and the team not making any significant moves. This has led to fans and analysts believing that they need to make a trade. However, even after the past two tough losses that the purple and gold have encountered, their record is 10-6 sitting at fourth in the conference. So this can lead to some skepticism as to whether or not the trade market is what the Lakers should look into.
Lakers’ Analysis in the Trade Market
Lack of Urgency
We saw the front office with the Los Angeles Lakers take a slower approach this offseason. They had been in talks with several free agents like Jonas Valančiūnas and Klay Thompson. However, deals never came to fruition well. It has led to much of the same roster that they had the previous year. This might not be the issue. The Lakers hired a new head coach this offseason in JJ Redick and are not facing any kind of immediate troubles. Giving the group time to settle in and develop chemistry under a new locker room leader makes sense. Especially, when they have Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood still sidelined. Gabe Vincent only played a handful of games with LA last year. So the Lakers should be wise before going out and making a drastic trade.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic has been following closely with LA and detailed why they seem to not be in a rush to improve their roster.
“Based on the intel that has come out, it seems to be that this is going to be a situation that drags into January, if not closer to that February 6 trade deadline,” Buha said. “The Lakers might have some incentive to make a trade sooner than later but that doesn’t necessarily mean the team that they are trading with has that same incentive. And a lot of these teams again as I mentioned want to see 30, 35, 40 games with their groups to decide which players are keepers, which players are expendable.”
This lack of urgency, or more rather patience, seems to be something general manager Rob Pelinka has been wanting. Don’t force anything and see how the team prevails through the early part of the season.
Rob Pelinka, when asked about pursuing trades to turn the team into a contender, says "we believe in this group" but added that it will take 30 games or so to properly evaluate what the team has this season.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 25, 2024
Looking for a Center
With both Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood injured, the Lakers’ depth at center has been thin. Additionally, Anthony Davis‘ preference for playing power forward has been brought up before. When you look at the roster in hand for the Lakers, their forward and guard depth seem to be solid enough moving forward. It quite simply comes down to the center depth that they are lacking.
Of course with LA, there will be many names to circulate around trade rumors. With center position being the vocal point, names like Jonas Valančiūnas popped up once again along with Myles Turner, Nic Claxton, Brook Lopez, Walker Kessler, and Robert Williams III. With many options possibly on the trade market board, it doesn’t mean the Lakers will secure one of these centers. Of course, we can expect the Lakers to take a slow, patient approach in the trade market. That helps to make sure they can keep as much without having to give away pieces they don’t want to.
Last Word
In short, for everything we’ve learned about the Lakers through the first 16 games, we will learn a lot more over the next month. This stretch will carry on into December, when players who signed contracts in the offseason can be traded. The Lakers will have a better idea of what this team is and what it will need.
Considering what we’ve seen so far without several of their impactful role players, it seems unlikely a move is majorly needed. Hayes and Wood returning will bolster that frontcourt depth they’ve been lacking. When Vanderbilt also comes back, these three pieces will help this defense out tremendously. Through the first month of the regular season, we’ve seen the current Lakers roster take down some excellent teams while showing glimpses of struggling. Expect the Lakers to be quite hesitant but still involved in the trade market.
