The Los Angeles Lakers have been painfully mediocre this season but GM Rob Pelinka is actively looking to change that. With over a month to go before February’s trade deadline, there’s still plenty of time to make a move and Los Angeles already has a plan for how to improve the team. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers will focus on speed and athleticism to surround next to LeBron and Anthony Davis.
“The Purple and Gold are prioritizing speed and athleticism”
– @wojespn on what the Lakers may be looking to upgrade ahead of the deadline. pic.twitter.com/aToZMU7npn
— The Laker Files (@LakerFiles) December 27, 2023
The Lakers were on track for a bottom-five finish in the West before a series of mid-season trades drastically turned their season around. After advancing to the Western Conference Finals, there was hope that the Lakers would capture that same magic this season but now it seems they’ll need another set of trades if they want to be true contenders in the West.
For now, no deals are imminent in Los Angeles but the uncertainty around D’Angelo Russell and the aging body of LeBron James have given the Lakers more than enough reasons to make a change. Now, the only question is which players they will target to save their season.
LeBron’s Shocking Admission
On Monday, LeBron James shattered any disillusions about how the Lakers stack up to the rest of the West. Following a blowout loss to the Celtics, he revealed that the Lakers are nowhere close to being contenders right now and it’s all but a given that they will be looking to make a move before it’s too late. As a superstar in his 21st season, we know that LeBron James is safe from the chopping block and Anthony Davis isn’t going anywhere either as his top sidekick. Outside of those two, and maybe young guard Austin Reaves, nobody is untouchable on the Lakers.
This season, with a rating of just 112.9, the Lakers rank 24th in offense out of all teams and are 17th in team scoring with an average output of 114.1. So, right now, the Lakers need some scoring. More specifically, they need perimeter shooting to space the floor around the star-studded front court.
Lakers’ Potential Trade Targets?
The trade market is full of unknowns this season. As teams across the league monitor the situations in Toronto and Chicago, the Lakers have their eyes on Atlanta. According to the latest reports, Hawks guard Dejounte Murray has emerged as a premier trade candidate this season and he’d make the perfect fit in LA as a young and athletic two-way guard. This season, he’s averaging 20.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game on 45.8% shooting.
Another potential trade candidate is Zach LaVine. LaVine’s value on the court this season has taken a massive hit in the wake of the Bulls’ play without him but his scoring, shooting, and athleticism would provide a major boost in the backcourt. Alongside LeBron James, LaVine might even be motivated to improve as a backcourt defender.
For now, the Lakers are still searching for answers on anyway to stop the bleeding, and a big-time trade may be the best way to get the desired results. And while a trade package of D’Angelo Russell and second-round picks may not be a lot to work with, it should be enough to get a decent player in return and that may be enough to get the Lakers in a better place.
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