Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors go back to the NBA Trade Deadline, where the Los Angeles Clippers had a good laugh at the expense of the Lakers.
Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors have not painted the organization’s front office in the best light. In a recent interview, LeBron James offered up a less than encouraging answer when asked about the experiment the front office tried this season.
James was asked about the construction of the roster and wasn’t even able to provide words. He just made a noise, which was all you needed to know about his feelings on the situation.
One of the biggest issues with the offseason plan of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka was that they didn’t add any shooting to the team. Instead, they added players they wanted to add playmakers that were hard-nosed defenders.
It was a questionable strategy and the skepticism that people had was proven true as the season went on, as the Lakers are about to miss the playoffs for a sixth straight year.
Before things were officially over, the organization made a last-ditch effort at the NBA Trade Deadline to get things on track.
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The Lakers made two separate deals. First, they acquire Reggie Bullock from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and a second round pick. In their second deal, the Lakers acquired Mike Muscala from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley.
The thought process behind these deals was simple. Add some shooting and clear a roster spot to add another player from the buyout market. However, nothing materialized the way the Lakers had hoped for.
Los Angeles gave up on two young players, surrendering draft pick compensation as well, in two moves that didn’t work out. They never filled the roster spot, as their fading playoff hopes caused players to look elsewhere. Even worse, it sounds like the front office became a joke, again.
Johnson embarrassed himself and the organization during trade negotiations with the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis. The public spectacle ruined the team’s chemistry and cohesion. The Lakers were once again a laughing stock during their trade negotiations with the Clippers, but these ones weren’t as public until recently.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Jerry West and the Clippers’ brass had a good laugh at the expense of the Lakers after the Zubac trade.
"“Shortly after the trade deadline, Clippers consultant Jerry West—who spent more than 40 years with the Lakers as a player, coach and executive—got together for dinner with old friends who also had former Laker ties, sources said. He couldn’t believe how Zubac fell into his lap. The Clippers, sources said, never even called the Lakers to inquire about Zubac. The Lakers made the offer and the Clippers gladly accepted.“Sources said those at the dinner table shared a hearty laugh at the Lakers’ expense.”"
Laughing at the Zubac offer is an acceptable response. The Clippers probably couldn’t believe the offer that was presented to them and when they found out it was a legitimate offer, they jumped at the chance to accept.
Zubac picked up right where he left off with the Lakers when he began playing with the Clippers. With the Clippers, Zubac is averaging 9.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 blocks in only 19.8 minutes per game.
Zubac has started all 20 games he has appeared in with the Clippers, as the team has gone an impressive 15-5. He and Montrezl Harrell have combined to be one of the best center combinations in the NBA.
While the Lakers have history and prestige on their side, the Clippers are looking like the better organization to be a part of right now. These swings and misses by the Lakers could deter free agents from them and steer them toward the Clippers.