Lakers news: Russell Westbrook’s potential next team, Bojan Bogdanovic trade market, Jakob Poeltl interest?
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers have not seen the results they were looking for in the team’s recent slate of games. After an optimistic 10-game stretch in which the Lakers won eight, the team has since dropped three of the last four with the only win coming against the Detroit Pistons.
Los Angeles has two more games on this homestand after losing to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. The Lakers play the Nuggets on Friday and the Wizards on Sunday.
While the Lakers enjoy two days off from playing games the news around the team continues to swirl. This is a team that is looking to improve with marginal assets to trade and with December 15 being the day to trade recently signed players, the news cycle is starting to pick up.
Lakers news:
- According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, NBA sources have listed the Miami Heat as a potential landing spot for Russell Westbrook if he is traded and bought out. Miami has long made the most sense for Westbrook on paper.
- The Detroit Pistons are reportedly waiting for the right first-round pick to trade Bojan Bogdanovic. The Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns have been named as potential trade suitors alongside the Lakers, per Pincus.
- With the San Antonio Spurs likely tanking for Victor Wembanyama, center Jakob Poeltl has been named as a potential trade candidate. The Lakers, Clippers and Warriors are three teams that may have interest, per Pincus.
- According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly inquired about trading for Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma has been listed as a potential target and would take a first-round pick to acquire.
- ICYMI: Charles Barkley absolutely slammed the Lakers during ‘NBA on TNT’ on Tuesday. Chuck is obviously not a believer in this Lakers team, regardless of how well Anthony Davis has played:
Another Lakers update from the Chuckster 🤣 pic.twitter.com/w5FrOXkbhc
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 14, 2022
News from around the NBA:
- ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on Wednesday that there is no guarantee that Lonzo Ball will play this season. Ball is recovering from knee surgery and according to Woj, still has pain in it.
- Steph Curry injured his shoulder in Wednesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers. Curry will receive an MRI for the injury that removed him from the rest of the game. Curry is averaging 29.6 points, 6.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game this season.
- The NBA renamed its season trophies after various legends of the sport. The MVP award will include the Michael Jordan Trophy, the Defensive Player of the Year trophy was named after Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rookie of the Year trophy is named after Wilt Chamberlain, the Sixth Man of the Year trophy is named after John Havlicek and the Most Improved Player trophy is named after George Mikan.
If he continues playing well and the Lakers actually win some games, Russell Westbrook could become the first player to take home the John Havlicek trophy this season.
