Sep 25, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka at press conference at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers are facing some of the same problems that plagued them last season with Darvin Ham as the head coach. They are 14-12 on the season and have the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge.
Despite Davis playing like an MVP candidate and James still playing great basketball as he approaches 40 years old, the Lakers need more help on the roster. They understand if they don’t make a couple of moves, their season will end in disappointment, just like last year.
Even though the NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 6, the chatter around the league has begun. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers have been linked to six players.
Buha released an article discussing what he’s been hearing around the Lakers.
“Other names that have come up in talks with team and league personnel over the past few weeks include Utah’s Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton, Toronto’s Bruce Brown Jr., Portland’s Jerami Grant and Robert Williams III and Washington’s Kyle Kuzma. “
– Jovan Buha, The Athletic
The Lakers certainly need help in the frontcourt, as they lack serious depth behind Davis. Utah’s Walker Kessler and Portland’s Robert Williams make a lot of sense for Los Angeles. Both guys can provide them with some athleticism and rim protection in the paint.
Guys like Bruce Brown, Kyle Kuzma, and Jerami Grant are players on the wings who can create their own shots but also space the floor as shooters. The Lakers don’t have enough of this kind of playmakers on the team, and that limits their potential.
The timing is ticking on James’ career, and Davis has a lot of wear and tear on his body. The time is now to make moves, and the Lakers have been making calls around the league. Over the next couple of weeks, they need to pull the trigger and get a deal done.