The Los Angeles Lakers need a facelift this season after the team was unable to even finish in the NBA Play-In Tournament despite having LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook on the roster.
It was clear early on and throughout the season that adding Westbrook set the team back. Not only did Westbrook not conform his game to effectively play next to the existing star duo in LA, but his massive contract hindered the team from adding valuable depth.
Add in the injuries that the Lakers had to deal with on top on the clunky fit and lack of depth and it is not hard to see why the Lakers had the most disappointing season in franchise history. Now, with an offseason ahead of the team, many fans are hoping that the Lakers trade Russell Westbrook.
There are other trades that the Los Angeles Lakers can make as well.
While a potential Westbrook deal is the biggest thing the Lakers can do this offseason it is not the only thing. There are other improvements the team could try and make, both in the trade market as well in free agency (although they are limited to league-minimum signings).
Greg Patuto of NBA Analysis Network recently broke down two potential trade targets that the Lakers “must absolutely” pursue this offseason. Seeing the word pursue in the title got us thinking, and long-time readers of Lake Show Life know what is coming next.
We are going to play a game of pass or pursue with these two free agent targets to break down if we agree with Patuto’s sentiment.