The Los Angeles Lakers came into the 2021-22 NBA season with championship aspirations. Unfortunately, when it was all said and done, the team couldn’t qualify for the playoffs.
Heading into next year, it’s clear that changes need to be made. A new head coach is not enough.
Personnel alterations must occur as well.
This week, three intriguing players were mentioned as potential options for Los Angeles.
According to NBA insider Sean Deveney, one league exec recently pointed to some big names who could end up in purple in gold come 2022-23.
“It might be tough to get anything done without giving up a future first-rounder, and the Lakers are short in that respect—they can’t trade a pick until 2027, and are reluctant to give up picks that far out,” the report read.
“But it won’t be impossible. The exec threw out, hypothetically, Duncan Robinson of the Heat, Malik Beasley of the Timberwolves and Christian Wood of the Rockets.”
Beasley and Robinson would fill one obvious need for the Lakers: more 3-point shooting.
L.A. struggled badly in that regard last season.
Wood is a fascinating talent, but a bit redundant with Davis on the roster.
This is shaping up to be a big summer for the Lakers. Currently there are four teams vying for a Russell Westbrook trade. If one actually follows through, the addition by subtraction of him being gone coupled with one of the aforementioned big name options could push L.A. back into title contention.
Will the Lakers be able to get back on track in 2022-23?
Time will tell.
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