The Lakers haven’t issued an official statement on the status of Anthony Davis, but a weekend report indicating he will miss at least a month with an injured right foot could alter the course of their season and their approach to the trade deadline, writes Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
Specialists were still evaluating Davis as of Sunday night, and coach Darvin Ham suggested the team may release more information on the injury on Monday. L.A. is 12th in the West at 13-16 and is entering a tough part of the schedule with seven of its next eight games on the road.
Davis’ injury and how it might affect management’s approach to upgrading the roster were among the topics at Sunday’s post-game press conference.
“Not a question for me,” LeBron James said. “I have no idea. When I’m playing, I show up, prepare, go to work and get my guys ready to go win a basketball game. I play the game, I’m not in the front office, so we’ll see. But I’m focused on the game and us trying to win basketball games, especially when I’m out on the floor.”
As James left the media session, Buha adds, he told a reporter, “Go ask (general manager) Rob (Pelinka) those questions.”
There’s more from Los Angeles:
- The Lakers are already facing inflated prices on the trade market as rival teams understand they’re under pressure to make a deal, reports Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. As an example, he states that the Jazz asked L.A. for a first-round pick in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic before the season began, but ultimately traded him to Detroit without getting a first-rounder in return. Pincus notes that the Lakers were “conflicted internally” about risking their future on any trade that didn’t make them an obvious contender, even before the Davis injury. If Davis is lost for an extended stretch, Pincus suggests L.A. might focus on smaller moves such as adding a free agent center (maybe DeMarcus Cousins) and seeing what it can get for Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn and second-round picks.
- James’ situation is unprecedented for a player of his age and talent, per Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated. Although he’s still performing at an all-NBA level as he nears his 38th birthday, James faces the prospect of another non-playoff season.
- While Davis is sidelined, James will likely see some time at center, which was effective last season, according to Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. There will also be an increased focus on James’ pairing with Russell Westbrook, as Goon notes that with Westbrook’s move to a reserve role they have shared the court for just 17.2 minutes per game this season.
face it lakers have no assets to trade outside their draft picks. They should hang onto them not trade them away. With how the market is going right now teams are asking for high prices for players.
Just need to play it out until the LeBron years are over. No use continuing to trade the future away down a bottomless pit.
Lebron doesn’t want to be asked questions about the team makeup, but he goes out and gets “my guys” ready to win a game?
Who’s guys are they?
What does the CCP have to say about who’s running the team?? They’re his ultimate boss.
Lakers should’ve brought back Stanley Johnson or kept Matt Ryan. They should look at Boogie or Whiteside.
Ship Lebrun to the kangz
So nobody seems to know what’s wrong with Anthony Davis or what the foot injury is but they are confident he will miss at least month with this latest pretend injury. Got it. The Lakers are a joke. Just replace AD with a wax figure. It’s not like anyone will notice the difference anyway.
Considering it’s a long season just as with Steph Curry they’re almost glad to give him a month off. Be fresher for that final week trying to work their way into seeding for the play in games. It’s going to be a battle at the end and very interesting to watch.
” I play the game, I’m not in the front office, so we’ll see. ”
-LeBron “Pinocchio” James
Still find it weird a buncha kids spend every day on a basketball cite yet revel in when a star from the league goes down that they don’t like
We use to gear up for a chance to beat the enemy at full strength, we strived for the ultimate conquest which made it that much sweeter when accomplished – Now, well we have this, a generation filled with hate from head to toe – Pathetic
You sound like the hater here… “buncha kids on this ‘cite’” at least know what the words you type mean before you talk s***.
“We”? You out there on the court? Perhaps mopping up the floor during timeouts?
And even at full strength, there is no “ultimate conquest” in beating this iteration of the Lakers. They’re just another mediocre team.
We being fans, not fanboys who root for injs and relish in them.( see above ^)
” [Lakers] seeing what it can get for Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn and second-round picks”…..
Bwahahahaha
AD injury might be a blessing in disguise, as if could save the Lakers front office from itself. No chance those firsts go anywhere now. And it’s not like they were going anywhere with him to begin with.
Agreed, best thing they can do is play the year out, let Westbrook get off the books, and retool.