Why the Los Angeles Lakers are the big losers of the trade deadline

Jan 1, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka looks on during warm up for the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka looks on during warm up for the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Harrison Barden/Getty Images)  – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harrison Barden/Getty Images)  – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers have put all their eggs in the Andre Drummond basket

Now that the trade deadline is over there is really only one potentially available player that the Los Angeles Lakers can add that would make a tangible difference: Andre Drummond. Drummond and the Cleveland Cavaliers are working on a buyout, so that is promising.

However, there is no guarantee that Drummond comes to the Lakers. He very well could spurn the Lakers for the Brooklyn Nets, who again, have to be considered the favorites to win the title right now and also present Drummond an opportunity to play significant minutes.

Or Drummond could sign with another team. Putting all of your eggs in a basket for Andre Drummond of all players is a bit risky. I really like the idea of adding Drummond to the team and he would fill a need, but it is still Andre Drummond at the end of the day. Could he really be the difference between winning and losing a championship?

The Lakers are going to be in the mix as long as LeBron and AD are healthy but there is no guarantees in basketball. So while both guys could be healthy, maybe we will only get a 90% version of both players.

Regardless, the Lakers could have improved with more than just Andre Drummond and there is a chance that they don’t even get him!