The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a disappointing and short-lived playoff run that saw them fall in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. After acquiring superstar Luka Doncic midseason and giving up their defensive anchor in Anthony Davis, their roster deficiencies were completely exposed.
Jaxson Hayes, the lone center on the roster who was thrust into the starting lineup after Davis was jettisoned, had a nice stretch to close the regular season out, but was deemed unplayable in the postseason and didn't see a single minute of action in the closeout Game 5.
Now, the Lakers find themselves in the market for a new center, one who won't be deemed a liability come playoffs.
And The Ringer's Bill Simmons seems to have a solution for them: Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.
"Alright, so that's my favorite Lakers move." Simmons said on his podcast. "All their expiring (contracts) and two first-round picks. And they (Lakers) get Embiid... (Austin) Reaves isn't in it."
While on the surface, this may seem like a home run for Los Angeles, Embiid could be perceived as damaged goods by some fans around the league. Not only is he currently signed to one of the largest long-term contracts in the NBA, but he has suffered some major injuries over the last few seasons that leave people questioning whether Embiid will ever regain his MVP form.
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"Talk about get out of jail free cards... We don't know if Embiid's ever playing again."
A trade like this would be one of the largest boom-or-bust moves an NBA team has ever made, given the risk factor with Embiid's health concerns. However, if he can stay healthy, along with Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers would arguably have three of the best players in basketball on their roster.
MORE LAKERS NEWS:
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- Lakers blockbuster trade pitch lands $60 million Celtics NBA champion forward
- Lakers' Austin Reaves makes surprising offseason announcement