The Los Angeles Lakers made a big trade, but it looks like they’re not done yet.
According to The Athletic, the Lakers are still active in trade discussions within the league as the trade deadline approaches. Despite lengthy discussions, it remains unlikely that they will go all-in to win now or destroy the team.
Extract from the report:
The logic is that when looking at the crop of players expected to be available at the deadline, there is no panacea for the Lakers. They have three notable needs they need to address to become a contender: better two-way wings, especially defensively, a better backup center who can protect the rim and rebound, and another ball handler and playmaker to help James and Austin Reaves when one of them is in trouble. from the ground.
The rest of the league seems to believe the Lakers will prioritize adding another big man to assist Anthony Davis, or a ball handler to relieve James and Reaves.
Los Angeles filled a need by adding Dorian Finney-Smith in late December. The 31-year-old winger lived up to his expectations by playing excellent defense and hitting shots from deep. However, his three-point percentage dropped from 43.5% before the trade to 36.0% afterward.
The Lakers are currently 22-18 and sit in sixth place in the Western Conference playoff race. The good news is that aside from the Oklahoma City Thunder, every team in the conference appears beatable, so a playoff run isn’t far-fetched.
It’s possible with a few smaller improvements, the Lakers could make a deep postseason run. These are the kind of deals rivals expect from them.
