Against all odds, the Los Angeles Lakers are still within striking distance of the NBA playoff picture despite starting off their season 2-8. In the wake of Anthony Davis’ latest injury, guys like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Thomas Bryant, and Austin Reaves have stepped up to carry the load.
But if the Lakers want to compete for a championship this season, they are going to need more firepower than what’s currently on the roster.
Ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline, the Lakers are expected to be at least somewhat active as they gauge what kind of trades might move the needle for them.
On Twitter Thursday evening, one NBA insider suggested a deal that could be everything the Lakers need for the cost of Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and both of their first-rounders.
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) January 13, 2023
The biggest problem for the Lakers has been on the offensive end of the floor. With so few shooters on the roster, LeBron James doesn’t have as many options on the perimeter as he’s used to.
Trading for players like Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma, and Will Barton, will certainly help them address that need but it would also give them some insurance and depth when Anthony Davis gets hurt again.
But unless the Lakers are willing to give up their last pair of draft picks (their only two in the first round for the decade), it’s going to be tough to make any kind of sizeable trade.
Will The Lakers Give Up Their First-Round Picks?
So far, Rob Pelinka has been highly resistant to the idea of trading L.A.’s first-rounders. According to reports, he’s holding them for a very specific kind of player.
“The belief in some rival front offices persists that the Lakers are saving those picks for a splashier trade target such as Washington’s Bradley Beal or Chicago’s Zach LaVine,” wrote Marc Stein. “How realistic is either pursuit, though? Both players, like Davis, are plagued by daunting injury concerns, which only adds to the angst attached to L.A. potentially surrendering the two best trade assets in its possession for the remainder of the decade. This much is clear: We will be talking about the Lakers and their situation nonstop for the next month … and probably beyond the Feb. 9 deadline.”
The entire NBA community will be watching what happens in Lakerland over these next few weeks. In what has been described as an internal war between LeBron James and Rob Pelinka, something has got to give.
If the Lakers keep finding ways to win and keep themselves relevant in the standings, Pelinka may have no choice but to sacrifice his future to maximize his team’s potential right now.
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