Speaking to Chris Mannix of SI.com on The Crossover NBA Show, SI.com’s Howard Beck observes that the Lakers‘ front office vowed after LeBron James signed an offseason extension to upgrade its 2022/23 roster, but now seems less inclined to trade the team’s 2027 and 2029 first-round picks for win-now pieces.
“I’ve heard rumblings, and these are only rumblings, I don’t want people to go too far with this or go crazy with the aggregation,” Beck said. “But a couple people around the league have told me in recent weeks that they believe that the front office has essentially been told not to trade the picks. That they’re guarding those.
“If that’s the case, that speaks to a couple things. One, you’re feeling pretty insecure about your future, post-LeBron. You think those picks are going to be so valuable in 2027 and 2029 that giving them up would be catastrophic for you. You’re also showing a lack of faith in your ability to trade those picks and find another way to rebuild in whatever the post-LeBron years are.
“You’re also indicating — again, if it’s true that they are just completely unwilling to put those picks on the table, then that means you’re also, by definition, willing to flush this season, because those are your best tools… for improving in the immediate term.”
Reports in recent months have indicated that the Lakers are only interested in moving both of those future first-round picks if there’s a deal that significantly improves their title chances. Anthony Davis‘ foot injury also reportedly lowered the chances that the club will trade one or both picks in a major trade, though if L.A. can stay in the play-in mix in the coming weeks and Davis returns later this month, perhaps the club will reconsider that stance at the February 9 trade deadline.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Head coach Darvin Ham said on Wednesday that he doesn’t expect either James (non-COVID illness) or Lonnie Walker (left knee soreness) to be out much longer, according to Kyle Goon of The Southern California News Group. Ham stated that LeBron is dealing with a “common cold,” while Walker has “a little bit of tendonitis.”
- Ham also shared a minor update on Davis’ recovery, indicating that everything is “going right according to plan,” Goon adds. The Lakers have been conducting continuous MRIs on Davis’ injured foot and he hasn’t experienced any setbacks in his recovery process.
- Lakers wing Troy Brown left Wednesday’s game due to a left quad strain and didn’t return, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The club has yet to issue an update on Brown’s status going forward, so it’s unclear whether he’ll miss additional time.
- With the Lakers already shorthanded due to injuries, Dennis Schröder was determined to stay in Wednesday’s game after rolling his right ankle in the fourth quarter, McMenamin writes for ESPN.com. Schröder not only finished the game — he scored a season-high 32 points and helped lead the Lakers to an improbable win over Miami. “I just try to be there for my teammates,” he said. “I felt pretty good after (turning the ankle). Of course, it was sore, and it hurt. But I know my limits.”
- Schröder was one of several Lakers on minimum-salary contracts to play a major role in the victory, alongside Thomas Bryant (21 points, nine rebounds), Austin Reaves (11 points), and Wenyen Gabriel (10 points). “I just think different guys are settling into their roles, getting more comfortable with more reps, more minutes,” Ham said, per McMenamin. “When we do get our big dogs back, whether it’s Bron, AD, both of them back — Lonnie, as well — it just makes us that much stronger, that much deeper, because now guys have confidence. They have the ultimate confidence because they’ve gotten the reps.”
If you don’t want to build around him, just trade LBJ. I can’t believe they’re content to allow their fans to see this product every night.
They can’t at the moment, but a LBJ trade is coming when the rules allow it. The writing is all over the walls.
He’s the only Showtime aspect of the Lakers right now, there’s no way they are trading him unless he asks out.
It is also very difficult for any team to build around LeBron when they know he only has a few years left. That team would be left with a huge void that no other player could completely fill. I’m not saying there’s no other better players, but there’s no others with the same skill set as him to plug into his role when he retires.
Lebron was really dumb for sign an extension, what was he thinking? He lost all leverage right there.
LA really in a pickle.
On one hand they don’t want to trade their 2 first round picks to create this win now side as they don’t think Bron and AD are good enough to do it this season by the sounds of it. However come the end of the season these two guys are the only ones with guaranteed contracts for next season plus Max Christie. So there plan is to invest in the offseason after yet another disappointing season and more wear and tear on the body for these two.
However if they make Bron unhappy both he and AD have player option for the following season and could both leave. In which case the lakers would have a bunch of money to spend but at the same time have absolutely no one left in the building.
It’s that tight line of keeping your star player happy or facing him walk for nothing.
Personally I think they should trade Pat Bev and Kendrick Nunn in which they can trade for about 22mils worth of contract in return.
Keep Russ as your sixth man, keep Dennis Schroder as your starting point guard and Lonnie Walker as your SG. Thomas Bryant has been solid since returning as your starting centre. So with the 22mil look for rotational players and depth.
Front office is happy it gets to keep the picks and LeBron is happy that they are atleast trying to upgrade the roster and give him a chance but overall the plan is still to use FA to build this team.
Here’s the two deals I’d make
1. Pat Bev for Thad Young and Hernagomez.
Raptors could do with Pats defence and locker room leadership. Coming off the bench he could run that unit really well with Otto and Boucher hopefully making them a better side again. Thad isn’t particularly needed in Toronto with all their forwards and bigs. LA could really use him however with AD often injured and even coming off the bench with Russ. A big that can shoot the 3 a little and plays good defence. Downside would be Thad has 8 mil guaranteed next season but that could be seen as a positive with him being great cover for AD.
2. Kendrick Nunn for JaVale McGee
Dallas has cut McGee from the rotation and so he isn’t getting any minutes now and more recently have signed Kemba Walker as another ball handling guard. Maybe they’d do this straight swap and add Nunn as competition with Kemba as a ball handler as they don’t play McGee anyway. For LA McGee was a huge part of them winning the title a couple years back and was so key in the suns deep aswell. He’d be a great addition, particularly coming off the bench while AD gets to rest and giving them that rim protection, rebounding and athleticism.
Then lining up
Schroder Walker Bron AD Bryant
Russ Reaves Brown Jr Thad McGee
Christie JTA Hernagomez Jones
Come FA you’ve got Bron AD Thad McGee and Christie and Jones as your only carry overs for now and a load of money to spend. Eyes will surely be on Kyrie and Dlo as the possible third key starter that’ll provide ball handling and shooting around AD and Bron.
I don’t think you’re wrong, but I don’t understand their fixation on keeping those picks. The Lakers have never drafted and developed players. Kobe is the only star I can ever remember them doing that with, and they even swung a draft day trade for him. I guess Magic, too. That was before I was born, so it’s hard for me to speak to that.
They tried it with Lonzo and BI, and they traded them all away when the franchise dropped out of the limelight.
Even in your scenario, you have them with an eye toward stars. It just shows it’s what they do. So I just don’t get why they’re clutching those picks. When it’s time to rebuild, they’ll sign or trade for another star anyway. It just feels silly to me
The only thing Christie has going for him is he gets to grow up with LBJ, AD and Russ. They could be a great grooming ground the next few years.
Honestly they just don’t have a great draft history recently, but that’s more that they don’t have high picks available.