The Los Angeles Lakers are in an interesting situation. LA is extremely banged up right now and is going to continue to play without LeBron James and Anthony Davis for quite some time. Even when the two do return, there should be concerns of them being ample to ramp up quickly enough for the NBA Playoffs.
Many expected the Lakers to make a move at the deadline because of it. Not only would a move have helped the Lakers from free-falling down the Western Conference standings, but it would have fixed some holes for the team once LeBron and Davis do return.
This is far from a perfect basketball team and even before LeBron and AD were injured there were roster needs that needed to be addressed.
But the Los Angeles Lakers did nothing at the trade deadline.
There were moves that could have been made. Victor Oladipo was traded for extremely cheap and the Lakers could have easily put together a package that was better than Miami’s. Kyle Lowry was on the table at one point and there was also speculation of the team going after players such as George Hill, or Nemanja Bjelica (who was traded for pennies).
The Lakers were limited, yes, but there still was a move to be made to improve the team and they simply did not do so. Not only does that make this trade deadline disappointing, but when you look at the grand scheme of things, it is clear that the Lakers might be the biggest losers of the deadline.
Let’s break down why.
1. The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten comparatively worse
The Los Angeles Lakers were NBA title favorites heading into the season and rightfully so. They were the most talented team in the league when the season started and it made total sense to make them the favorites.
However, there is a reason why we don’t simply crown a champion based on the preseason title odds and that is because a lot cna change. Not only have the Lakers dealt with some bad injury luck, but they have gotten comparatively worse in the process.
The Brooklyn Nets did not make any moves at the deadline but they have already made their improvements. James Harden now helps form a big three and the Nets have seemingly gotten a revived version of Blake Griffin (which is why I was pushing so hard for the Lakers to take the chance!!!).
Star power wins championships more times than not and the Nets are the one team that has more star power than the Lakers. However, there are two other matchups that should absolutely frighten the Lakers.
Ironically enough, I still like the Lakers’ chances against the trio of the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers, as long as the Lakers are healthy. I hate the team’s chances if they have to play Denver at some point or Philly in the NBA Finals.
Both teams have elite big men that already poise a significant mismatch against the Lakers. Both of those teams got better at the deadline as well.
The Nuggets added JaVale McGee to call checkmate on the Lakers using Montrezl Harrell too much in a playoff series while also adding Aaron Gordon, which is a huge addition for the team. The 76ers increased their backcourt scoring presence by trading for George Hill.
Both teams directly addressed their biggest needs, which is what the Los Angeles Lakers should have done.
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!
3. The Los Angeles Lakers now have a fun offseason ahead of them
Part of the reason why a move was expected at the deadline was the financial situation that the Los Angeles Lakers are currently in. The Lakers are going to have to re-sign players this offseason and simply do not have the money to do so.
That is why trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope seemed like such a no-brainer. Of course, the team had to do so without getting worse, as they are still trying to win the NBA Championship but based on the moves that were made the Lakers absolutely could have done so.
That Oladipo trade that I previously mentioned could have accomplished this feat as well as trading for someone like Evan Fournier. Regardless, KCP is still on the books and the Lakers are going to have to figure out what they are doing with Dennis Schroder, Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker.
Montrezl Harrell also has a player option that he can utilize in the offseason as well.
The most alarming name is THT. The Lakers are high on THT and it seems increasingly likely that they did not trade for Kyle Lowry because they did not want to part ways with THT, which is fair.
However, there is still the chance of THT getting a poison-pill offer sheet and the Lakers not being able to match. Just because he was not traded does not mean that he is going to be a Laker in the long-term.
This is exactly what happened with Julius Randle. The team did not want to trade him at the deadline and he simply walked away after the season. It is a bit different as this time the Lakers are title contenders but THT is likely not going to play a huge role in a playoff rotation when the Lakers are fully healthy.
Trading KCP or even Schroder/Harrell (for the right price) could have solved some of these problems.