The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the few contenders in the NBA that desperately need to upgrade their roster.
As the trade deadline approaches, mock trades and rumors to players are circulating. And the Lakers are at the center of it all.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick took a look at five teams that desperately need to make a move ahead of the deadline this season, including Los Angeles.
“Rich Paul was right when he said earlier this month on his ‘Game Over’ podcast with Max Kellerman that the Lakers, as currently constructed, don’t qualify as genuine contenders,” Amick wrote. “And just because the messenger was unorthodox — he’s the longtime agent for LeBron James, after all — doesn’t mean the message was inaccurate. Anyone who watched their December decline could see that much”
MORE: Championship coach calls out Lakers' JJ Redick for public outbursts
What’s the move?
The Lakers have two glaring holes throughout their depth — shooting and defending. So how does Amick address that?
“When healthy, the odds of Dončić, Reaves and James providing an adequate line of defense on the perimeter are slim to none,” he says. “So, can president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka land someone like New Orleans’ Herb Jones (not currently believed to be available), Derrick Jones (for the right price) or Ellis (ditto), who could aid this cause?
“While they’re at it, maybe he can find a way to reunite Dončić with Gafford, the Mavericks’ big man who was such a good fit for him during their Dallas days.”
More NBA news:
- Mavericks' Cooper Flagg makes basketball history only ever done in NBA by his head coach
- NBA fans react to Anthony Davis' early exit in Mavericks-Jazz game
- Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards follows LeBron, KD into NBA history books
- Bulls-Heat cancellation explained: Why scheduled game between Chicago and Miami was postponed at last minute