February 06 News The Athletic Lakers team reporter Jovan Buha reported on the Lakers’ trading prospects.
The Lakers will continue to be active in the trading market, exploring big and small deals.
According to league sources, after the news of Irving’s transfer to the Lone Ranger came out, there were two teams that repeatedly appeared in the Lakers’ backup plans. They are the Jazz and the Raptors.
Both teams have been linked to the Lakers in recent weeks and have both been rumored to have starting-caliber players put on the shelf.
However, negotiations are still at a preliminary stage without any imminent deal.
The Hornets, Spurs and Bulls are three other teams to watch, according to sources.
The most interesting twist is the impact of the Irving trade on LeBron James, who has made it clear that he is eager for an upgrade.
From James tweeting a cryptic emoji shortly after Irving’s trade request, to calling Irving’s potential trade a “duh” deal after the Lakers’ loss to the Pelicans on Saturday, to Sunday’s Irving
After being traded to the Mavericks, he sent out a “maybe it’s because of me” tweet, and James did everything he could to hint at asking the Lakers to trade his former championship teammate.
It was the second time in eight months that the Lakers failed to land James after pushing Irving twice — even if in either case, the outcome was technically out of their control.
Will this have a lasting effect on James’ relationship with the franchise?
At this point, it is too early to draw conclusions.
But at least in the short term, the only way to please him seems to be to significantly upgrade the roster before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
The most obvious question is whether there is another trade that the Lakers think is worth paying for the two unprotected first-round picks, which is unclear.
Less than two weeks ago, Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said the Lakers would only include those picks in “trades that make us a championship contender.” Like Zach LaVine,
Can prospects like Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. or Malik Beasley reach that threshold?
The Lakers have decided the Pacers’ Myles Turner and Buddy Hield aren’t worth it — at least not in October.
Will any star see Irving find a new home so quickly and propose a trade before Thursday?
These are questions the Lakers will have to consider in the next few days.
As Irving’s slapstick shows, there’s always an unforeseen option lurking around the corner.
The Lakers could still retool their roster to put themselves in a better position by mid-April.
But the best players come and go, and the Lakers can’t get him again.
what will happen now