The trade deadline has passed for the Los Angeles Lakers and not even a miniscule move was made by the franchise. For the majority of the season there were rumors surrounding the likes of Ed Davis, Jeremy Lin, and Jordan Hill. Pundits even mentioned prized rookies Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle as possible pieces in a few deals.
The market was not as strong for the former, but intrigue was there in the latter. All in all, the team stood pat, and they are preparing to finish the season out while continuing their rebuild. Despite what can be viewed as a failed chance at acquiring assets, the Lakers may have actually helped themselves for the future financially and draft-wise.
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The Lakers were linked to names from Goran Dragic to Reggie Jackson, two players who were moved from their teams this year. Dragic will continue his career with the Miami Heat, while Jackson heads to the Motor City with the Detroit Pistons. Both players were certainly legitimate options for the Lakers’ gaping hole at point guard.
They would be quality starters and worthy of taking on a larger role than either of their squads provided. The biggest kicker with both would the risk of losing them in next year’s free agency. It would definitely put the Lakers in a tight spot.
On top of acquiring those types of players, teams would certainly demand more than just the contracts of a Lin or Hill. The Phoenix Suns were looking to do a deal with the Lakers, as Dragic had the team as one of his preferred destinations. The one catch to pulling the trigger was losing leverage in the use of their top-five protected pick.
ESPNLA’s Ramona Shelburne reported that the Suns requested the Lakers remove the protection from the pick:
Phoenix also asked if Lakers would remove protection on the pick they owe them (currently top 5) protected. No traction on either discussion
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 18, 2015
That’s a lot for the Lakers to not only lose the chance at drafting a big piece of their future, but the possibility of Dragic walking in free agency. That’d be two more blows added to Los Angeles’ most recent blunders.
Speaking of the draft, you have to assume that Dragic improves the Lakers slightly. He wouldn’t have made the team a playoff threat, but definitely could bring the team from its fourth-worst record in the league to outside of their top-five protection. This would have helped the Phoenix Suns, which makes you wonder why they didn’t make the move.
Clearly the Heat’s package of draft picks and acquiring former Milwaukee Buck Brandon Knight was the better bargain. It’s no guarantee that Dragic improved the Lakers enough to gift the Suns the draft picks.
At the end of the day, the Lakers still have plenty of options going forward. The draft will be the first step, ensuring they finish in proper position and select a quality player. The team also has several second rounder picks, and their recent selections of Ryan Kelly and Jordan Clarkson has proven the team’s ability to find contributing players there.
This year will possibly began the official direction of the new Los Angeles Lakers and things are as interesting as ever.