The Los Angeles Lakers currently find themselves in a cautious position as the trade deadline approaches, despite calls for action from key players LeBron James and Anthony Davis. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the Lakers have displayed minimal urgency in exploring trade opportunities, showing a reluctance to part with future first-round picks.
The recent trade that sent D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith has diminished their flexibility in the trade market. This trade has left the Lakers with limited assets, as they lack significant expiring contracts to make impactful deals. The only notable expiring contracts they currently possess include Jalen Hood-Schifino ($3.9 million), Christian Wood ($3 million), Jaxson Hayes ($2.5 million), and Cam Reddish ($2.5 million).
Davis has expressed a desire to see the team acquire another big man, enabling him to return to a power forward position. However, with few strong center options available in trades at this time, it appears challenging for the Lakers to execute such a plan aggressively. Charania reported that both James and Davis are worried the team may not pursue significant trades effectively, despite their aspirations.
The Lakers’ situation illustrates the complexities of navigating the trade market, where not every “big name” player is attainable. The potential interest in players like Cam Johnson from the Nets further complicates matters, as the Lakers would likely struggle to outbid other teams for his services given the high asking price.
As the February 6 deadline nears, it remains uncertain if the Lakers will make noteworthy changes to their roster. Instead, a more likely scenario may involve incremental adjustments rather than a significant overhaul, reflecting the current landscape of the NBA’s trade market.
In summary, while the Lakers are under pressure to enhance their lineup, the current trade landscape does not present many opportunities for impactful moves. Their cautious approach and limited resources could lead to a less active trade deadline than fans might hope for, emphasizing the need for strategic decision-making in the coming days.