The Lakers reached the 30-game mark on Monday, as their depleted group got blown out by the Suns. LeBron James and Russell Westbrook missed the game with minor ailments but of course the bigger issue is Anthony Davis‘ foot injury.
Los Angeles dropped to a 13-17 record, 12th-best in the Western Conference, and it’s going to be difficult to hang around in the postseason chase with Davis sidelined for multiple weeks. It’s uncertain just how long Davis will be out, but naturally the Lakers will exercise plenty of caution for a superstar with a long history of injuries.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Lakers’ prospects were a lot rosier. Davis was on a tear, scoring 99 points in a two-game span at one point, as the Lakers came within two games of .500 after a 2-10 start.
They pulled out a narrow victory over the slumping Wizards without Davis on Saturday, but continuing to win games without him won’t be easy. Sunday’s contest against the Suns began a stretch in which they’ll play seven of eight games on the road.
There have been all kinds of trade rumors surrounding the Lakers since the summer. Westbrook and his $47MM expiring contract have, of course, has been at the forefront of that trade buzz. There have been all kinds of names bandied about as possible trade targets, including Buddy Hield, Myles Turner, Bojan Bogdanovic, Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier, just to name a few.
Their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, however valuable they may be, have also been a hot topic of discussions.
Now, it’s fair to wonder what approach the Lakers should take. During the uptick, it seemed like a good idea to get immediate help.
Now, it might be prudent to bite the bullet and use the cap room they’ll gain from Westbrook’s expiring contract, among others, to retool next summer. The only big salary commitments they have beyond this season are the contracts of Davis and James. That cap space would give them much more elbow room than they had this past offseason to make deals and free agent signings.
That brings us to our question of the day: In light of Davis’ latest injury, should the Lakers make moves now to improve their chances of staying in the playoff chase? Or should they stand pat and use the cap space they’ll gain from expiring contracts to revamp the roster next offseason?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
It doesn’t matter. They should blow up the team and try again in 2032.
Let me preface this by saying I DO NOT want it to happen… but if I’m the Lakers I make this offer to the Miami Heat right now:
Lebron James / Russell Westbrook to the Heat
Duncan Robinson / Max Strus / Kyle Lowry / Tyler Herro to the Lakers
I again do not want to see this happen as a Heat fan.. but helps the Lakers have a core to build on.. helps the heat get out of bad contracts, and helps the heat contend immediately in 2023.. something they’ve been struggling to do thus far. Bam / Butler / Lebron / Westbrook would be a dangerous team
You don’t want to see it happen? Yea ok lol.
I don’t think you comprehend Tyler Herro is a 23 year old Devin Booker and is only growing and getting better. Part of the Heat’s problem however, is he sucks up all the floor space… the trade makes sense for both sides but no.. I don’t want a Lebron James who’s maybe third focus is basketball now.. and Westbrook is a russian roulette roll.. no clue is Spo can control him
Lebron cant be traded because of the extension he signed triggering a no trade window that wont expire till next offseason.
Cant deal Bron period.
i need sourcing on that
Dude…just look it up.
Exactly LeBron James won’t get traded and definitely not in season.
Then the trade doesn’t make any sense. You going to take all of Miami shooters from them smh. It won’t be no spacing on the floor.
LeBron James will definitely finish the season on the Lakers and possibly finish his career on the Los Angeles Lakers in purple and gold
Well he can’t be traded in season so there’s that &
Why would lakers want Duncan and herro if Mia doesn’t ?
Word
I don’t like the Lakers, so I don’t care what they do. They’re so far down the rabbit hole that they can’t come back, even with everyone healthy.
The CCP is going to be ticked off no matter what they do.
Whatever
Every single other Nike athlete: i sleep
LeBron earning money from Nike: REAL SH*T
Every time I see that crap, it’s stupid.
Lakers should always operate under the title or nothing mantra, this year they have no chance of winning. They will give their pick this season to the Pels, thats the price of trading for AD. if they keep their picks they will have about 20 mil in cap space and 3 firsts to trade for a star, so they should look ahead to next year
The trade for AD got them a championship, now they are paying the price for picking an often injured star as Lebrons running mate…
After the decade they went through some Lakers fans will be happy with that… Hell fans of most of the teams would say that the price was worth it…
But most Lakers fans expect to contend just because their colours are purple and gold… So it’s beeb enjoyable watching them and the media squirm whilst the Lakers stink…
With AD and Westbrook there will be bright moments… But it’s a long season…
Dude lakers were better off with just lebron and the supporting cast of Ingram, ball, hart, zubrac, and all those picks, not to mention they traded DeAndre hunter away, could’ve signed good free agents with cap space
But would that have got them a ring? Probably not
What cap space ?
The money would have gone to Ingram and co , there would be none abd there would be no banner in the rafters either
If I’m the Los Angeles Lakers I’m not trading the 2027 or 2029 First Round Picks. I’m going to finish the year out with the roster I got. The Lakers got a good roster they just need to get healthy.
If anything I’m doing a smaller trade. That is a three team deal. That will send a second round pick to the Detroit Pistons and a second round pick to the New York Knicks.
Los Angeles Lakers get
Cam Reddish
Nerlens Noel
Detroit Pistons get
Patrick Beverley
New York Knicks get
Kendrick Nunn
This trade will give the Los Angeles Lakers somebody that can soften the blow on defense for us while Anthony Davis out. Nerlens Noel is a major injury prone but when he’s healthy he’s a solid defensive player and can guard pick and rolls. Then he’s a good rim runner. Then him and Dennis Schroder have chemistry from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Cam Reddish will bring defense and can guard three to four positions. Then I think he still has untapped potential. I think he can still be a very good 3 and D guy in this NBA.
Patrick Beverley will get bought out and Kendrick Nunn will just finish the year out. Both teams just making the trade for the second round picks.
* Also a concept that seems entirely lost today is that trading was originated to come out with BOTH sides winning – this notion of winner / loser is completely new and auto generated
Not going to get. Fansided articles clicks tho selling that novel concept so here we are
If Westbrook is expiring anyway what is the point of giving away a draft pick to trade him? What is the value of cap space in a losing year?
I think they gotta look at making a big move. This team is not built long term regardless. Trade picks for a strong starter and go for broke.
I’ve been skeptical from the start that the LAL FO really intended to move their remaining tradable 1st rounders, and/or forego next off season’s cap space, for win now pieces. Using RW’s contract or otherwise. They keep it out there, maybe because they’re the LAL or maybe because they want to placate LBJ, or just in case, but the reports are mostly of undeveloped deal templates (which haven’t changed in months) and internal discussions. For better or worse, this FO isn’t that deliberate.
Going forward they don’t have a bright future unless they trade Davis but they won’t get back what they gave up. They have no assets otherwise. You are not going to build a championship team with two first round draft picks.
Lakers do need 3 D wings
Beverly,Nunn,Toscano,for Mo Bamba, Terrance Ross
2nd round pick & Damion Jones for Cam Reddish
Look into Miles Bridges offer
sign free-agent Hassan Whiteside.