The NBA trade deadline is around a month away and the Los Angeles Lakers have some clear needs to address if they want to compete for a championship.
Even though they sit at 22-11, their record has been a bit of fool’s gold as they have struggled against good teams, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.
A 3-and-D wing has been the Lakers’ main need going back to the offseason and it appears that search is still ongoing. But according to NBA insider Marc Stein, as has been the case in the past for Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, they are not trying to sacrifice their future financial flexibility unless they are acquiring a wing that moves the needle:
League sources say that the Lakers continue to scour the trade market in hopes of acquiring a two-way wing with size before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Two factors, though, continue to work against a trade.
1) The market for such wings who can shoot from distance and defend remains quite limited, with New Orleans still resistant to trade interest in both Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III.
2) It’s believed that the Lakers are only going to sacrifice their projected financial flexibility in the summer — which is expected to furnish them with the ability to make significant roster changes — only if they can acquire a real needle-mover at the position. Will such a player actually become available over the next four weeks and change?
This has been the M.O. of Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office for the last several years as they want to maintain flexibility in case a star becomes available to pair with Luka Doncic to build around into the future.
The Lakers have the ability to open up max cap space this offseason with all of their expiring contracts, but if they trade for someone in February that is on a long-term deal, that would change things.
As the report states though, Pelinka would be willing to do that as long as they are getting a 3-and-D needle-mover. Some players they have been linked to that have multiple years left on their current deals are Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans and Andrew Wiggins of the Miami Heat.
It remains to be seen if either of those players will be available, but if they are it will be interesting to see if Pelinka is willing to pull the trigger to give this year’s team a legit shot at competing in a loaded Western Conference.
Lakers rookie Adou Thiero to miss at least 4 weeks
One of the defensive wings the Lakers have on their roster is rookie Adou Thiero, although he hasn’t been able to play much due to injuries. He recently suffered a right MCL sprain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, which is right around the trade deadline.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
