Los Angeles Lakers: The dilemma of what move should they make before trade deadline

NBA
Monday, 22 January 2024 at 22:00
james davis lakers

Decisive days for Los Angeles Lakers' front office. The team built around LeBron James, who turned 39 last december, need to figure out what will be their role on this trade market. Even with Anthony Davis healthy and playing high level basketball, LA is stuck in the surroundings of the Play-In positions.  

Trade discussions for the Lakers often revolve around the opportunity cost of making significant moves. Common questions about the feasibility of giving up future first-round picks or waiting until the summer to include more assets in a trade are neatly addressed.

The urgency becomes clear when you have an aging LeBron James. Can they really afford to give up first-round picks in 2029 or 2030? How much has the King left in the tank?

The crucial question is whether the Lakers should act now or wait until summer. The answer, again, is tied to LeBron's age. The window of time for LeBron's optimal performance narrows, and waiting might not be a viable option.

The discussion about retaining future picks also dissipates, as when you have a 39-year-old LeBron, long-term planning takes a back seat.

Finally, there is the question of who will be the franchise's other star after the LeBron era. The reality is that, given LeBron's age, the search for another star must be done with the premise of immediacy. The need to strengthen the team with players like Dejounte Murray or Zach LaVine presents itself as an obligation, an opportunity that the Lakers cannot afford to pass up if they want to remain competitive in the league.

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