As a result, the Lakers acquire two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash on July 4 via sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns and a month later brought in superstar center Dwight Howard by pulling off a four-team deal with the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets.
Although the Lakers’ front office were able to vastly improved the team on paper bringing in two proven superstars to play alongside Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace in the starting lineup, the results haven’t transcended to the floor with the team struggling after the first 24 games of the season.
Apparently, not only were the Lakers able to pull off two major trades in the off-season, but they might’ve been able to make a third deal for another star player heading to Los Angeles as a result. That star was forward Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks reportedly reached out to the Lakers in an effort to get trade talks reignited with Gasol as the major centerpiece headed to Atlanta. The deal consisted of the Hawks sending Smith and point guard Devin Harris to Los Angeles in exchange for Chris Duhon and Gasol.
After acquiring Nash and Howard, along with the acquisitions of Jodie Meeks and Antawn Jamsion, the Lakers’ front office wasn’t looking to make anymore moves as Mitch Kupchak and company believed they had built a championship-caliber team. Unfortunately, this team has yet to prove that they’re truly a legitimate title contender or ever will be with the current squad intact.
One of the main reasons the Lakers may have not pulled the trigger on yet another blockbuster trade may have been Nash’s reluctance to sign a three-year deal with the team and or Kobe making it known that he wanted Gasol to remain in Los Angeles.
Regardless of the reasoning behind denying the trade proposal from the Hawks, Kupchak is likely regretting the move with the team’s recent struggles and need for youth and athleticism that Smith would’ve brought to the table.
Lakers Nation News
Video: Lakers LRT – Is Kobe Part Of The Problem?
Lakers News: Dwight Howard Refuses To Talk About Andrew Bynum
Lakers Rumors: Team Passed On Opportunity To Trade Pau Gasol for Josh Smith
Lakers Must Figure Out Their Problems No Later Than Christmas
Report: Pau Gasol Could Be Back Very Soon; Nash Could Be As Well
Kobe Bryant’s Shot Selection Hurt The Offense Against Washington
Video: Kobe Debuts Kobe VIII System With Interview
Despite Fan Demands, Phil Jackson Still Not The Answer For The Lakers
Kobe Passes John Havlicek For 9th In Most Career Field Goals Made
Lakers Top 10 Videos: Shirtless Metta, Silly Dwight & Pissed D’Antoni
Kobe Says They’ll Figure It Out, Pau And Metta Need To Help Lead
Lakers News
Globetrotters Invite Kobe Bryant To Battle Washington Generals [LA Times]
Pau Gasol Says Most Likely Return is Dec. 22 [LA Times]
Trade Restrictions Expire For Recently Signed Lakers [LA Times]
Letters: Lakers Hitting New Lows [LA Times]
Knee Injury Keeping 76ers’ Andrew Bynum Off The Court [LA Times]
Now Is The Time To Trade Pau Gasol [LA Times]
Ding: Time To Get Excited Again For Nash To The Lakers [OC Register]
Lakers Still Not Good, But Good Enough To Beat The Wizards [OC Register]
Knees Improving, Gasol Ready For On-Court Work [OC Register]
Tweetbag: Pau Gasol Pain-Free In His Knees [Silver Screen & Roll]
Dwight On Where He’ll Play Next Year, “I Know” [Silver Screen & Roll]
Could One More Setback Keep Nash Out For Season? [Silver Screen & Roll]
Lakers, Bynum Reunion On Hold As Philadelphia Center Remains Sidelined With Injury [LA Daily News]
LAKERS NOTEBOOK: Gasol Has No ‘Definites’ In Regard To Return Date [LA Daily News]
N.Y. Past Doesn’t Haunt Mike D’Antoni [LA Daily News]
With Nash Sidelined, Lakers Turn To Dry Free Agent Market For Point Guard Help [The Point Forward]
NBA News
The Goods: Los Angeles Clippers’ Bench Receives New T-Shirt [Sports City]
NBA Morning Recap: Wolves Win In Rubio’s Return; Knicks Edge Cavs [Sports City]
NBA Play Of The Day: Ricky Rubio Returns To Dazzle All Of Us [Sports City]
Video: Nuggets’ Gallinari Goes Off The Backboard For The Jam [Sports City]
NBA Play Of The Day: Joe Johnson’s Jumper Beat The Pistons [Sports City]
Manu Meet Karma, Guard Injures Self While Flopping [SB Nation]
The Gregg Popovich Rap [SB Nation]
Discuss: Sixers Hypothetical Trade Talk [SB Nation]
Report: Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans Among Those Who Could Be Traded This Season [Pro Basketball Talk]
Mark Jackson Says Win Over Hawks Shows Warriors Are ‘For Real’ [Pro Basketball Talk]
Nate Robinson With The Monster Rejection On MarShon Brooks (VIDEO) [Pro Basketball Talk]
Bargnani Denies Saying Toronto Was ‘Worst Team’ [Pro Basketball Talk]
Report: Jazz Will Deal Al Jefferson Or Paul Milsap Before Trade Deadline [Pro Basketball Talk]
Felton Hopes Knicks Fan Welcome Lin Warmly [ESPN]
Heat, Other Honor Conn. Victims [ESPN]
Wolves’ Lee Out Indefinitely With Injury Knee [ESPN]
ESPN’s John Hollinger Will Join Grizzlies’ Front Office [ESPN]