Three current All-Stars, four other former All-Stars, one of the oldest and experienced rosters in NBA history, what could go wrong? Well… the answer seems to be “everything” for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
Currently 19-19 on the year, the Lakers have not lived up to the expectations of being the “team to beat” in the NBA and they are barely holding on in the Western Conference standings right now. While it appears that they will ultimately wind up making the playoffs, it is really hard to imagine that this team can make it out of the first-round right now.
They certainly do not stack up against the Phoenix Suns or Golden State Warriors and with how good the Utah Jazz have been as well, LeBron James and Co. are definitely in trouble. Trading for Russell Westbrook in the offseason is starting to look like the most regrettable move made in the NBA this past offseason and now with Anthony Davis sidelined indefinitely with a sprained MCL, LeBron James is literally carrying this team.
Since Davis went down with his knee injury on Dec. 17 against the Timberwolves, James has averaged 34.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and has shot 56.8% from the floor, 40.9% from three-point range in 8 total games, but the Lakers are just 3-5 in those games.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: One Perfect Trade Deadline Target For Lakers To Pursue
Now 37-years-old, LeBron James can do everything he can to carry this team, but him accounting for about 32% of his team’s total scoring output in this period is extremely concerning given LeBron’s durability issues in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are in trouble right now and with not much cap space, their options are limited as the trade deadline inches closer. However, The Athletic’s John Hollinger seems to think that general manager Rob Pelinka may still have one last trick up his sleeve.
Outlining some of the biggest names on the market ahead of the deadline, Hollinger talked about Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn, the two players the Lakers could look to move for more value.
Hollinger wrote:
“Surely they are making calls about guards who can play off the ball, such as Portland’s Norman Powell, San Antonio’s Derrick White and Boston’s Marcus Smart, but they may need to set their sights a bit lower.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: One Perfect Trade Deadline Target For Lakers To Pursue
Derrick White is a very intriguing name to bring up in regards to the Lakers and the Spurs’ guard has been piecing together a solid season. In 35 total games, White has averaged 14.5 points, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals and has shot 42.3% from the floor.
Only shooting 29% from three-point range is a big concern given the Lakers’ shooting woes from beyond-the-arc, but Derrick White could be a solid off-the-ball fit at the shooting guard position for the Lakers.
Could Los Angeles look to pursue San Antonio’s 27-year-old combo-guard?
