The trade deadline is only a few days away, but here’s why the Lakers will likely stand pat
Once a dominant force around the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers have since lost their luster. With their last big trade happening in 2012, as the Lakers essentially acquired Dwight Howard for Andrew Bynum and some draft picks, LA has been relatively quiet ever since.
Looking at the contracts that the Purple and Gold picked up in the off season — Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams, Brandon Bass — it was assumed that a trade was likely to occur. This was affirmed when the Lakers put all three on the trading block, alongside Nick Young who has been in Byron Scott‘s dog house ever since his hiring.
While developing players should reign supreme in the second half of the season, Los Angeles’ ongoing tank job is ever present, bringing us to the first reason why the Lakers are unlikely to make a trade.
A Trade Likely Hurts the Tank
Expectations for this season weren’t nearly as low as seasons past, so it’s a shame that the Lakers are where they currently sit in the standings.
Armed with a healthy, 37 year old, Kobe Bryant, young talent in Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell, in addition to the veteran presence they signed in free agency, it seemed like LA actually had a fighting chance to steal the eighth seed.
However, Byron Scott’s ongoing devotion to the tank became clear fairly early in the season but that could actually benefit the Lakers in the long run. Assuming Scott’s coaching doesn’t completely demoralize the Lakers’ young stars, picking up a Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram would be huge for the organization.
Historically the Lakers Make Trades To Get Better, Not Worse
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Piggy backing directly off the last point, looking back at history, Mitch Kupchak and the Buss family have been extremely deliberate with their trades, as they haven’t been known to blow up their team just to acquire assets.
In fact, they actually tend to do just the opposite, constantly salvaging their future to remain relevant. That said, in this case, trading to get better only hurts the accord.
The front office seems to be trying to make an about face on this subject, but it may be too little too late.
LA Won’t Trade Something For Nothing
All of the names the Lakers have placed on the block are average players, who could possibly help push a contender over the limit, but it’s doubtful that teams would be willing to give the Lakers back what they’d want in return: coveted draft picks or valuable role players.
Ironically, trading players away for pennies on the dollar would actually help the team most by opening up more minutes for the Lakers younger players but the front office doesn’t seem too concerned about that as shown by their handling of the first half of the season.
On the right team, Roy Hibbert could be a perfect piece to anchor a defense. However, Hibbert’s $15 million contract, even though expiring, is a tough piece to move. In regards to value on the right team, the same could be said about the versatile, Brandon Bass and offensive spark, Lou Williams.
At this point in the season, teams are looking for players just like them to help bolster their bench heading into the playoffs but as previously mentioned, the Lakers are unlikely to unload them just to unload them.
Next: 5 Possible Destinations for Lou Williams
If the Lakers do make a move at the deadline, to the chagrin of fans everywhere, it will likely be a small one, but at this point it seems less and less likely.