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Trade deadline: Los Angeles Lakers path opens up in four different scenarios
NBAFriday, 26 January 2024 at 19:00
The trade deadline is almost here, less than two weeks for the teams to try to add help to their roster in order to compete. Throughout all these weeks there has been one team that was involved in almost every trade rumor: Los Angeles Lakers. However, the window to make a significant move is closing and their situation is far from favorable, even for the most optimistic fans.
The most popular LA franchise is in ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 23-23, and as usual, has been around for virtually all trade rumors: Dejounte Murray, Zach LaVine, Bruce Brown, Bojan Bogdanovic, the list goes forever.
But really, what's the Lakers' plan? The logical thing would be to focus on getting a player to help them compete and go deep into this Playoffs, and therefore, make the most of LeBron James' final years. However, would it be worth risking their future for it?
CBS' Sam Quinn has produced a report outlining the four paths the Lakers could take as a result of what they intend to do in the trade market:
- 'Win-now': Sacrifice their future for the arrival of a 'borderline All-Star' player to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis, being forced to move Austin Reaves. Go all-in for a ring this year.
- Maintain the structure and add second unit reinforcements: Similar to the first scenario, but with a less powerful roster to compete against teams like the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets or Phoenix Suns.
- Trust in their future personnel: Do not make any trades, go as far as possible this season regardless of the outcome. With the draft picks they have for the upcoming years and their most promising players, such as Reaves himself, aim to continue to grow for the post-LeBron era.
- The bad way: Based on the idea that the Lakers will lose LeBron James this summer, given the fact that he will be a free agent. The Lakers don't have any first-round picks in the 2024 Draft to select Bronny James, LeBron's son. 'The King' has expressed the desire to play with him several times.
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