The Los Angeles Lakers have been playing some better basketball recently but they are going to face some challenges in the coming weeks as they are going to be without NBA star Anthony Davis. Davis suffered a right foot injury and will be sidelined for at least one month because of it.
This is a brutal blow for the Lakers as Davis was playing at an MVP level, averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks in 33.4 minutes per game. Replacing that kind of production will be virtually impossible, but Darvin Ham is going to have to figure something out to keep the Lakers afloat.
LeBron James staying healthy and playing as he did against the Washington Wizards in their first game without Davis, scoring 33 points with nine assists and seven rebounds with one block. The Lakers won 119-117, but they will face much stiffer tests than a Wizards team that has now lost 10 straight games.
With other teams in the Western Conference also struggling, as the Golden State Warriors lost Stephen Curry for a few weeks to an injury, the Minnesota Timberwolves are without Rudy Gobert, and the Utah Jazz are coming back down to Earth, it could be time for the Lakers to make a splash move to try and make a move up the standings.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers & Chicago Bulls Updates
The Lakers are certainly keeping an eye on the Chicago Bulls, who are seemingly moving closer and closer to a rebuild. Chicago is riding a four-game losing streak, and there isn’t much to get excited about moving forward. Lonzo Ball’s status for the season is up in the air as his knee isn’t responding to treatment.
As shared by Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the Lakers are hoping that the Bulls come to the harsh realization about needing to rebuild so that they can make a blockbuster trade.
“The Lakers have interest in DeMar DeRozan and Vucevic, likely for two future first-round picks (and Westbrook). It’s unclear if L.A. would also want to bring back Alex Caruso.
Today, the Bulls don’t care what the Lakers might want as they continue to push forward. Any overture that involves the team taking a step back will be rejected—but that may change closer to the deadline.”
There have been rumors that Los Angeles is likely going to retain Russell Westbrook given his successful move to the bench. But, if they want to make a splash move to become true contenders, especially during Davis’ absence, Westbrook will assuredly have to be on the move to match salary along with future draft picks.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers & Chicago Bulls Updates
Adding DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Alex Caruso would give the Lakers’ rotation a major boost. Adding them to the mix, with Westbrook being the only rotation player on the move, would be the kind of move that Rob Pelinka hinted at when saying he would do whatever possible to make the purple and gold a contender again around James.
