Are the Lakers holding out for a big move? Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated said on “The Crossover NBA Show” that they’re hoping for a “bigger piece to come loose” in a deal involving Russell Westbrook and their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks (hat tip to Peter Dewey of LakersDaily.com). Beck didn’t reveal the specific player that the front office may be targeting but says it’s not Kyrie Irving or the Pacers’ package of Myles Turner and Buddy Hield.
We have more on the Lakers:
- First-year coach Darvin Ham says there’s not much the front office can do in terms of trades or a free agent signing because of financial constraints and the fact they’ve already used the mid-level exception, (Twitter video link). “Were a tax offender, right? Just can’t go out and start spending money everywhere to build a team,” Ham said. “We have three first-ballot Hall of Famers that a chunk of our budget is being spent on and there’s only so much left.”
- The Lakers’ roster shortcomings are inescapable, Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register notes. They own the worst offense rating in the league and their defense has regressed in recent games. Lonnie Walker IV and Troy Brown are the only newcomers who have made a positive impact, according to Goon, while free agent additions Thomas Bryant and Dennis Schröder haven’t played due to injury.
- Many people around the league are enjoying the Lakers’ front office’s struggles and one executive interviewed by Heavy.com’s Steve Bulpett declared “there’s no more championships” on the horizon. “Look where they are now and tell me when the hell they’re going to have a chance to compete for a championship again,” the executive said.
- Anthony Davis (lower back tightness) and LeBron James (left foot soreness) are listed as probable for Wednesday’s game against the Clippers, Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times tweets.
In what universe is Anthony Davis a first ballot HOF’er? The ham has been in the oven too long.
AD is NBA top 75 already
He’s a Hall of Famer but shouldn’t be top 75
AD stole Klay Thompson’s place in the top 75
37 point Q
60 points over 3Q
4 rings
Name anyone in the top 75 on that level?
He’s there 8x all star, 4x all NBA, 4x all defense, 3x blocks champion and a championship should be enough.
Klay Thompson is better than AD
Where’s AD’s 37 point quarter? I’ll wait lol
It’s not the NBA hall of fame, so his college and olympic accomplishments are also included.
AD has made it out of the 1st round of the playoffs 2 times in his NBA career. I don’t get the HOF talk for him right now. I would think he still needs to do a lot in his career. Hes missed the playoffs more years than he’s made the playoffs. I think someone needs to be to play more than 39 postseason games in 11 seasons to be HOF.
He can be both that and probably overrated in the grand scheme of things. Hard to not include his body of work and stats.
He’s top ten on the All Injured Team.
Unless Lebron or AD are in the trade, its literally impossible for the Lakers to make a “big move” like, no, Buddy Hield isnt turning this team from 30 wins to playoff.
Why is this losing team always on ESPN?
Because people like you click on the story
Trade AD & LBJ. Problems solved. Make the playoffs, get swept, or win a game. Pick Swap isn’t as lopsided with the Pelicans, maybe get some valued youth in return for Geritol & Mr. Glass.
Bigger piece? I’m sorry but what albatross of a contract is out there on a non competitor team?
Randle? Not really bad tho
Hayward? Nah
EGordon? Maybe
Harrison Barnes? Now that’d be something
Lowry is not happening
Conley makes sense if they lose more games
Lowry is on a competitive team but looked meh last year
Dame ⏱️
zero chance of that happening.
No way, Portland might win a C this season if Payton II delivers like he did last season. Portland has the scoring, and defense to be really annoying in the West