Even with one of the worst offenses in basketball and an 11-16 record, you’d be hard-pressed to find a single team in the association that has completely dismissed the Los Angeles Lakers.
The truth is, even as presently constricted, the combined powers of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook are still enough to give the Lakers the benefit of the doubt.
While the product on the floor has not matched that status so far, the Lakers still view themselves as close to being a contender.
In a recent article, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report revealed the Lakers’ mindset ahead of the NBA’s February trade deadline.
The Lakers feel like they’re not far from fielding a contender. Coach Darvin Ham getting Russell Westbrook to accept a role off the bench has increased his value to the team, especially as a playmaker for a resurgent Anthony Davis.
But concerns persist internally that Westbrook doesn’t complement LeBron James and that the mix of stars may not work in the postseason when rotations shorten. The Lakers also have guards Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn (all three expiring contracts) as trade pieces for a smaller deal—or with Westbrook in a potential blockbuster.
The answer will depend on what other teams offer. The Lakers will give more if the return provides the team with a credible chance to flourish in the playoffs.
What Can We Expect From The Lakers On The Trade Market This Season?
With some major questions about the fit of the Westbrook/Beverley backcourt, it’s no surprise that the Lakers have been looking to move the veteran point guard. While the return for him will not be very high, there have been some interesting names mentioned as potential trade targets for L.A.
“Before Reddish’s recent benching in New York, the Knicks originally engaged the Lakers to see if they’d have interest in swapping Evan Fournier for Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn, league sources told HoopsHype,” wrote Scotto. “Beverley and Nunn will both become unrestricted free agents after this season. Since then, the Knicks have reportedly looked to package Reddish with Fournier in various trade talks.”
Despite how things look right now, the Lakers still have time to salvage this season. If Anthony Davis continues his dominant tear, and Rob Pelinka pulls the trigger on a small-scale deal, it could be what this team needs to make a run this season.
If not, this could be the last time we see this squad together. After so much turmoil and disappointment over the past few years, this is likely their last chance to make things right.
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