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Los Angeles Lakers: Why Kentavious Caldwell-Pope isn’t safe from a trade

By Jason Reed

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 15: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 15, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 15: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 15, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. The Los Angeles Lakers should be more hard-pressed to make improvements

There is a simple saying that applies to every single NBA team in modern basketball: if you are not getting better you are getting worse. There is so much player movement in the NBA and teams are constantly striking gold on superstar duos and trios that a team cannot expect to simply run it back and win a title.

That is why the Lakers made the moves that they did last season. Rob Pelinka understands this and on paper, improved the team by a fair amount. The problem is that they never got to play together and the playing styles simply did not mesh. In a full season with actual time to become accustomed to each other, with health, things would have been different.

The Lakers didn’t have to make as many changes as they did last offseason after winning the championship but they did anyway. This year, after falling short and not meshing as well as expected, there is going to be more urgency to improve.

This is especially true when we consider LeBron James’ situation. James is getting up there in age and this past postseason was the first time he looked vulnerable. The first time when he couldn’t simply turn the switch into overdrive and carry them against the Suns. Sure, his ankle injury probably played a part in that, but sometimes all it takes is an injury like that to accelerate father time’s impact.

The Los Angeles Lakers have to go for it. The title window is two years at the most and the team has to make the most of it while also setting up for long-term success. The goal is to win soon while also keeping Anthony Davis for the next title window, which theoretically would include Davis and another superstar.

When teams are desperate nobody is safe, especially a three-point shooting role player that can be inconsistent at times.

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The Los Angeles Lakers don’t need to trade Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but they definitely shouldn’t close the door on that possibility.

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