Believe it or not, the Los Angeles Lakers could emerge from Thursday’s trade deadline without changing a thing. Or at least not enough to truly excite anybody.
But it won’t be for a lack of trying.
“The Lakers have been active,” ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter. “I think Laker fans and players and the organization probably have to temper their expectations on this trade deadline… Their best bet might be to wait… There are so few difference-makers available.”
The Lakers (25-25) are coming off a major upset of the Boston Celtics on the road. Boston was 22-2 at home entering the game and the Lakers played without LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
One player the front office seemingly doesn’t want to part with — guard Austin Reaves, who erupted for 32 vs. the Celtics. The Lakers do appear more open to moving guard D’Angelo Russell, though he too is playing well and may not bring back a return that moves the needle.
As Woj said, there aren’t a lot of guys available with star power. Other than Murray, and perhaps Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, there just isn’t a lot out there that could help LA get to another level. If you’re the Lakers, you don’t want to make a trade just for the sake of it.
The Lakers have been linked to multiple opponents, including Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart, Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, and Nets forwards Royce O’Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith. One report suggested they could land all three Nets players for Russell and forward Rui Hachimura.
But again, is that a deal that’s really worth making? Maybe. And maybe the Lakers will try to find out.
Right now, though, they seem to be light years away from any sort of splash, with the deadline just six days away.
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