The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to figure out how to improve their roster as the back half of the regular season quickly approaches. They are still searching for their identity, and as the season moves along, a spotlight has been placed on the team amid speculation that head coach JJ Redick may be losing the locker room.
“[JJ Redick] has lost the ears of the locker room... Him & LeBron [James] are always gonna be on the same page... Why are the other guys not listening to you, your role players?... [Deandre Ayton's] tone has changed,” ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins said.
The Lakers are likely in LeBron James’ final season with the franchise, and all he wants to do is compete for a championship.
““LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
However, the harsh reality is that the current Lakers roster is not a legitimate title contender. Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts believes the team could improve its outlook by making a trade with the Sacramento Kings, sending Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, and draft picks in exchange for Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Devin Carter.
“Vincent, Kleber, and Knecht have struggled this season. All three may be out of the rotation in the playoffs. The Lakers tried to trade Knecht to Charlotte for Mark Williams, but the deal was later rescinded after the big man failed his physical. Vincent and Kleber will depart in the offseason, so Los Angeles could get ahead of it with this deal,” Watts wrote. “The Los Angeles Lakers should call the Kings about a Keon Ellis trade and see if taking Malik Monk and Devin Carter is enough to get Sacramento to lower the price below a first-round draft pick. It may just be, and that could help the Lakers take the needed step into title contention.”
If the Lakers were able to complete this deal, they would be in a better position while realistically only losing one rotation player. Vincent has barely been part of the rotation anyway, as he has missed significant time this season.
The trade would reunite the Lakers with fan favorite Monk while also bringing in two young players with considerable upside. While it would not be a blockbuster move, it could have a major impact on the trajectory of the franchise.