NBA Trade Rumors: Spurs reuniting with star? Mavs eyeing the best-available PFs. Lakers trade drama
By Cal Durrett
NBA Trade Rumors: Are the Lakers standing pat at the trade deadline?
Although the Los Angeles Lakers were expected to make a big trade ahead of the deadline, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports that they may instead make a smaller deal or possibly even stand pat rather than break apart their team.
“The Lakers don’t want to have to make a big move, they prefer to retain their depth and the one last first-rounder they’re allowed to trade...They believe in the formula they have, which is a cadre of long defenders supporting future Hall of Famers.”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 9, 2024
- Brian Windhorst
(Via… pic.twitter.com/EhblypR410
If that is indeed their strategy ahead of the February deadline, it is certainly a risky one. After all, the team is just 2-9 in their last 11 games and is currently 10th in the West.
They did manage to catch a break with the season-ending injury to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, which should make it a bit easier for them to make the play-in tournament but they are just one game ahead of the Utah Jazz. Even if they make the play-in tournament, that is no guarantee that they will be able to replicate their success from last year and return to the Western Conference Finals.
In fact, they have just a 22% chance of making the playoffs according to Basketball Reference, so standing pat shouldn't be an option. Especially if this could be LeBron's final season in LA. or the league. Then there are rumors of coach Darvin Ham being on the hot seat and several players unhappy with their roles according to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, all of which could make for an interesting storyline to follow ahead of the trade deadline.
manual