The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that will be looking to make some major changes this NBA offseason. They came into the 2021-22 season with high expectations as title contenders. A championship doesn’t look like it will be in their future, as they are struggling mightily.
The Lakers are in ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 27-31. The only reason they are holding a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament is that the bottom half of the conference is so weak this year. They are 4.5 games clear of the 11th place San Antonio Spurs,
When taking a look at the future outlook of the franchise, things look even bleaker. The Los Angeles Lakers don’t seem to have any real building blocks on the roster and are lacking the draft capital to find some.
There have been a lot of rumors about the team attempting to move on from Russell Westbrook this offseason, but it is debatable how much they would be able to get back for him. They aren’t going to come close to receiving the package they went to the Washington Wizards for him, but they have to at least try.
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The experiment with Westbrook joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis has not gone well. It is a poor-fitting trio, as their strengths don’t mesh well. Interest in Westbrook seems to be minimal, so Rob Pelinka is going to have to get creative when shaking up this roster. Could he end up shopping Davis to help get the franchise back on track?
Davis has his own red flags, namely his lengthy injury history, but at 28-years old, should still have plenty of basketball ahead of him. Many assumed he would take over the role as the face of the franchise once James moved on, but those plans may have to change.
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According to one NBA executive that talked to NBA Analysis Network, Davis might be available as the Lakers will turn over every stone this offseason.
“The Lakers are going to be aggressive in the offseason and could make much bigger changes than many expect. Anthony Davis, he might be available. No guarantees there, but something everyone is currently monitoring.”
Davis would certainly garner a lot more interest than Westbrook. While Los Angeles would be hard-pressed to get a package as strong as the one they sent to the New Orleans Pelicans, he would return a stronger package than Westbrook.
While Westbrook would essentially be looked at as a salary dump, Davis would only be made available if the Los Angeles Lakers could get multiple pieces in return for him. The Chicago Bulls have been mentioned as a possible trade partner, with a package centered around DeMar DeRozan, one of Coby White and Patrick Williams, and draft compensation being a possible offer.
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The Chicago Bulls would be one of plenty of teams to show interest in Anthony Davis should he be made available. You can never count out the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks are always on the lookout for a star player. Up and coming young teams, such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets, and Memphis Grizzlies would also make for intriguing trade partners for Davis.
