The Los Angeles Lakers host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night desperately looking to get back in the win column. Los Angeles has lost two games in a row and with the season dwindling down, the chances of climbing out of the Play-In Tournament continue to shrink.
If the Lakers want any hope of climbing at least to a better seed for the play-in then the team needs to start a winning streak now. Heck, it isn't just about climbing in the West as the Houston Rockets are red-hot and are on the Lakers' heels. If LA continues to struggle, the team could fall out of the play-in altogether.
Thankfully the Atlanta Hawks have not been a great team this season so it is not a big task for the Lakers to get back on track. Because it is the Hawks, though, Monday's game is a bit more important as it could have a serious impact on the immediate future of the franchise.
Rob Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers' front office are going to see Trae Young in LA in person on Monday night. Young playing well against the Lakers may only increase the front office's interest in him this summer. Additionally, the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis could lay the groundwork, using their influence to have very pertinent conversations with both Young and the front office after the game.
The Lakers have had "internal discussions" about hypothetical summer trade proposals for Trae Young, per @jovanbuha pic.twitter.com/5i57QZ6xTO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 23, 2023
Trae Young can set the table for Lakers fans with Hawks in town
Whether or not the Lakers end up trading Young will not be determined by this one game but there still could be some influence there. If Young comes to Los Angeles and is exposed by the Lakers in front of Pelinka then it could be the wake-up call the front office needs.
But if he ends up torching the Lakers and has an embrace with LeBron after the game then the rumor mill will be cranked to 100. The Lakers have up to three unprotected picks the team can trade once the offseason begins and reportedly remained pat at the deadline with the desire to use those picks to trade for a star.
Young was circled as a potential target alongside Donovan Mitchell, who now appears to be off the table for LA. Thus, Young is the primary trade target for the Lake Show this summer and he has a chance to get off on a great foot with the fanbase on Monday night.
Whether or not trading for Young is a good idea is a conversation for another day. Just don't be surprised if the Young trade rumors start to become even heavier after the Lakers host the Hawks on Monday night.