Sources tell ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that there’s a “shared belief by leaders in the Lakers‘ locker room that the team is only a couple of players away” from contention. He doesn’t list them by name, but presumably McMenamin is referring to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
McMenamin mostly focuses on the pros and cons of the potential Russell Westbrook for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner deal with the Pacers that fell apart before the season when the Lakers refused to include both of their movable first-round picks (2027 and 2029). L.A. faces Indiana on Monday night.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported that the Lakers were going to wait until around Thanksgiving to evaluate the team before making any changes. McMenamin reports that the timeline has been adjusted to December 15, when most free agents signed in the offseason become trade-eligible.
However, as McMenamin notes, December trades are pretty rare because “league business slows down around the holidays,” so he views mid-January as a more likely timeframe for potential trades. If the 11-8 Pacers keep winning, the Lakers believe Pacers owner Herb Simon might be unwilling to trade Hield and Turner for a deal focused on draft capital, preferring to field a more competitive club.
The Lakers have played better of late, winning five of their past six games, and currently sit with a 7-11 record. But their schedule was pretty soft during that stretch (three wins over the Spurs, one over the Pistons), and they’re about to play 15 of their next 23 games on the road, per McMenamin.
McMenamin suggests the Lakers might be better off making a couple of trades instead of going all-in on the Pacers deal — one involving Westbrook and one first-rounder, and another involving Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn and the other first-round pick — to get impact players. That’s assuming the front office decides the team has a legitimate shot at title contention, of course.
Whichever path they take, whether it be minor or major trades, the Lakers are focused on upgrading their perimeter shooting and size, sources tell Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
Sadly those “couple of players” are Michael Jorfan and Sean Kemp in their prime.
Who?
Off brand versions. Lakers apparently can’t get the appropriate licenses.
I gotta lay off the weed.
Probably Patrick Oring, Pedro Stojackinabox and Charles Barkey would be great contributors as well.
Nah.
I like the Lakers championship chance if …….
Lakers could end up with Wemby also.
How can the Lakers get Wemby if their draft pick belongs to New Orleans? Lol
I’m a couple of inches away from having a really massive hog
There’s only 15 guys on a roster. Pretty much every team is a couple players away. 3 superstars and an all time great should be enough.
Lakers need a better second unit better bench.
Xavier Tillman
Bryn Forbes
Boban Marjanovic
Terence Ross
Come to mind as guys to target for cheap.
The Rockets are only a couple of players away from contention too. In the NBA, that doesn’t mean much lol
you would think they had the lowest payroll in basketball with that headline.
Aka Lebron doesn’t feel AD is good enough alone to get him a 4.5 championship. He’s gonna need another superstar and 2 other great role players in their prime.
This article was better when I read it on ESPN 4 hours ago.
Please keep us updated on your reading list.
Luka Doncic & Jason Tatum would definitely make the Lakers title contenders. Lakers need to scrap their way into the playoffs, and put all this trade business behind them. This is an old, put to bed rumor that is played out. Pacers are playing well with Turner, and the Lakers aren’t trading more picks to fix their lack of roster depth. Pelinka appears to be trying to get fired, so you never know
So if the lakers are only a couple away from contention what does that mean for teams like the bucks, Celtics, sizers, nets, just to name a few? Saw a post earlier on social media of 5 players the lakers have dealt who are now legitimate stars outside of LA and lebrons reign, maybe you take him outta decision making decisions and you would have had a contender vs looking to be one with the right trades. Luka said it himself, the Celtics are the best team with the best duo, sorry bron n AD but your time has passed. AD should be demanding a trade to a team that doesn’t involve a player in alll decision making. Like MJ said, as a competitive player you should be looking to beat your best opponents not team up with them to make winning easier. Bron has set himself up to be the best by surrounding himself with superstars not being the man to get it done himself.
Never work. Wouldn’t he need LeBron to approve it..?
“Couple of players away” from contention
Those players are:
1. A switchable defensive center
2. A big 3 & D guy
Lakers: DAngelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Rudy Gay
Minnesota: Mike Conley and a second
Utah: Russ, Nunn and 2 first (1 from each team)
Lakers plus Dlo as a secondary ball handler and scorer next to LeBron and ask him to play a Kyrie style role. They also get Malik Beasley as another shooter and depth and Rudy Gay for depth. More of a locker room guy but could still be handy. Russell being an expiring contract still keeps there options open in the offseason we’re they could look at sign and trades and it also only cost them 1 first round pick
Minny gets Conley and saves a bunch in cap space. Great move for them as they need a vet and a leader.
Utah who started hot and are now cooling off get back a couple first round picks for guys they were planning on keeping in the long run anyway. Only negative is having to likely buy Russ out of his deal. However in total money that’s cheaper than 2 years each of Conley Beasley and Gay.
Opens up minutes for the younger guys too.
For the Lakers that would be a great return. I get what’s in it for Utah, but Minnesota seems to be scewed?
Why would Minnesota give up a first for that trade? They could always sign and trade Russell in the offseason.
Cause they went all in trying to win in the Gobert trade and I think the biggest thing holding them back in Russell.
Conley is exactly what they need. He’s a veteran that can run the offence much more efficiently, he’s a lot better defensively, and I think he gets this team into the playoffs and possibly on a good run. Instead of Dlos 30mil expiring deal they have Conley on a 40 year 2 mil deal, 20 mil a season so it cuts the tax bills and opens up a little more flexibility this season for another trade or FA signing in the possible buy out market.
As for that first it’ll be protected and they do revive back a second round pick. So yes it’s a little bit of a loss but it’s countered by swapping Conley for Dlo which is an upgrade
But thanks for the comment and the question
How refreshing to read through the comments and no one is ranting and raving about Steve Kerr being a terrible coach.
I’m sure it’s coming any minute now.
Its midnight in UK
jinx.
The Lakers have absolutely nothing to give to get “impact” players
Smartest thing the Lakers could do right is start tearing it down and trying to recoup some draft capital.
Even if they scrape things together enough to get into the playoffs, they aren’t going anywhere. They will never do it, but they should.
LeBron and his ‘get me this’ attitude is going to put this team into a 10-15 year hole. Personally, I couldn’t be happier, but it’s just not good for the NBA when the Lakers are stinking for that long.
Wait, you mean LeBron isn’t enough all by himself to win a championship? Go figure…
Unfortunately, Bill Russell died. So I dont think anyone can save the Lakers.
This is a funny way for “leaders” to say they don’t believe in their current group. No wonder they suck.
When you looking at the Jazz’s roster and the Pacer’s roster, and you find out they play better than Bron+AD+brick, there’s no chance to help out the Lakers. They need a better locker room.