Rival executives tried to take advantage of the Lakers’ predicament, which ultimately led to VP of basketball operations Rob Pelinka standing pat at the trade deadline, according to The Athletic’s Bill Oram.
Other teams wanted the Lakers to take on bad contracts or give up their limited draft capital, including their 2027 first round pick, to facilitate potential deals, according to Oram.
The Lakers were unable to gain any traction on a potential Russell Westbrook deal. They tried to put together some lower-level deals, including a proposed three-way trade with the Knicks and Raptors. Toronto big men Khem Birch and Chris Boucher and Knicks wing Cam Reddish could have been on the move, but those fell apart after the other two teams couldn’t agree on draft compensation.
The Lakers also mulled a possible reunion with Dennis Schröder, though there was some pushback from some members of the organization. The Lakers still pursued a deal with the Celtics but Boston’s high asking price ended those negotiations. The Celtics wound up trading Schröder to Houston.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis were consulted on potential trades and understood why Pelinka chose to stand pat, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“You can’t force another team to present yourself with a deal that is going to make your team be better. That’s up to them,” Pelinka said. “And throughout this process we had different things we looked at and like I’ve done in the past had conversations with LeBron and Anthony about it and I would say there’s alignment here. And that’s all that matters.”
The Lakers will monitor the buyout market but would have to waive a player since their roster is full.
I understand consulting LeBron, but Davis is a chip I would of dangled. Lakers aren’t going anywhere with him being so flaky.
I’ve watched a few lakers games that I’ve bet on recently. Davis looks horrible. He’s not aggressive offensively in the post. I saw him get outplayed by Nurkic on Wednesday night. He let the Blazers young players drive and score in the paint all game. He’s obviously an above avg player. But he doesn’t look anything like a dominant force, like he used to in NO. I can’t judge him 100% because idk if he’s at 100% health or not. LeBron also looks sluggish out there this year. Obviously he still has incredible strength and court vision. But he’s finally starting to slow down. Last thing that stood out to me is all the turnovers. For a veteran team who’s been playing together almost all year, to have twice as many turnovers as a young blazers team who’s just been thrown together in the last week is crazy. Something is terribly wrong in LA and I don’t think LeBron has enough youth left to carry them anymore. At this point in his career he needs to be the stabilizing vet around a bunch of talented youngsters. He’d be perfect for Cleveland right now smh
“Take advantage” of the Lakers?! I’m dying. The richest franchise in the league has made bad move after bad move, and now we’re suppose to feel sorry for the poor rich LA Lakers? Ha, sure, have fun with that.
Lakers
Great organization
Great culture
Great players
They do benefit from being in LA which tremendously helps them attract stars though. But they do get credit for the biggest heist in NBA history. Kobe for Vlade
Look what the bucks got from Dallas for Dirk….
Oof, that’s a good one too. I didn’t even know about that one, wow. Still, I think the Kobe one was worse. Scottie Pippen Sonics trade was rough too.
Huh? The article meant take advantage as in rival execs realize they’re in a very bad predicament with westbrook and also record wise. Opposing gm’s saw them as presumably desperate.
Everyone knew ahead of time and has now seen it play out, that westbrook is a horrible fit for this team. I really don’t think he’s a good fit for any team. But that’s besides the point. I also thought Forbes still had the Knicks as the most valuable franchise, if that’s what you meant by richest. But I could be wrong on that.
P.S. I hope you’re not literally dying, because death by misinterpretation isn’t the way anyone wants to go out
If you don’t have money in your wallet, you can’t buy anything
Lakers did not buy anything today
Really? What about credit cards and all these apps?Who even carries a wallet anymore lol?
Makes sense with the Lakers
NYk was always the best match on enhancing the team the next 1.5 yrs and apparently Toronto still views THT as a small target. I’m happy in the end tho talks dissolved into nothing
Your going to hear Westbrook to Nyk (w a possible b/o) about a million times before the summer is over. Both teams should Still say no tho for different reasons when those discussions re-emerge
Don’t these GMs (Pelinka, Morey) realize that waiting until the deadline takes away any leverage they have for a good trade? The Lakers and Sixers could have have better deals if they had made trades earlier in the season. It’s not like the issues weren’t there and the offers were better. Instead they put themselves in a corner and other teams know it’s time to feast. Morey has always been incompetent and Pelinka has only traded away all the work Kupchak did building up assests. Was one Championship worth giving up Ball, Ingram, Hart, Randle, Kuzma, payroll flexibility, and every draft pick for six years?
Yes …..
Everyone would be complaining they never consolidated and were left with a team that didn’t have enough defense , shooting, or go to player to ever be a real threat with that team above.
And that team wouldn’t have cap flexibility much like the current ATL Hawks ( who have 2 better players currently than any of those past Lakers )
Probably would have been a lot easier to trade dudes like Kuzma, Harrell, Schroder, and KCP at the deadline than Brick
Agreed. The lakers have virtually zero traceable assets. Anthony Davis is not going anywhere and KH-T has almost no value. Other than that there’s nothing.
LeBron should be fired from his GM and coaching roll and just keep his job as a player.
This is what happens when you let your star have all his buddies come join him for a last hoorah, and they’re all over the hill.
The Lakers could have had Demar Derozan easily with a mere sign and trade, but no LeBron wanted Westbrook..The onus is on James to fix this and make it work.
James wanted this team, and now he has to figure it out. Don’t feel sorry for them one bit, but I do thank him for passing on Demar..Chicago is loving having him aboard!!!
Amen. Thank you
Lakers knew what they were getting with Bron. An aging star who’s window was short. They went for it and got 1 chip.