There aren’t many teams in the NBA that are playing worse than the Los Angeles Lakers are right now. The NBA In-Season Champions have struggled since winning that title in Las Vegas, going 3-9 since that game.
Currently riding a three-game losing streak, rumors are swirling of head coach Darvin Ham starting to lose the locker room. Injuries have certainly played a part in the team’s inconsistent rotations, as Ham is constantly changing and adjusting lineups.
However, the Lakers are far from the only team dealing with injuries in the NBA; they just aren’t handling it as well as other teams. That is what has people keeping an eye on them as a trade seems inevitable.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
January 9th and 15th are dates to watch for as it is when more of the players who signed contracts recently are eligible to be traded. The Lakers have a number of players who signed new deals this offseason on their roster, but things are going to be shaken up sooner rather than later.
Now 17-18 on the season and in 10th place in the Western Conference, something has to give soon. Outside of Anthony Davis and LeBron James, this roster, for the most part, has left a lot to be desired.
Los Angeles has been linked to several different players as potential trade targets, such as Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls. All of those players, presumably, would break the bank in terms of assets needing to be included in a trade package.
That is why one NBA executive who spoke to Heavy believes the Lakers should go in a different direction. The executive suggested that the team pursue veteran forward Gordon Hayward of the Charlotte Hornets.
“I don’t think he is a guy you have to give up a first-rounder for,” one NBA exec told Heavy Sports. “And that’s what they need. Someone who’s gonna help but not mortgage the future. It’s a desperate move but, so what? Look at their record.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Hayward’s skill set is one that would fit the Lakers seamlessly. He would provide the team with a secondary ball-handler and playmaker who can play several positions on the court. However, staying on the court has been a major issue.
Injuries have plagued Hayward throughout his tenure with the Hornets. 50 games is the most he has played since signing the four-year, $120 million contract as a free agent in 2020. Since the gruesome leg injury he suffered in Game 1 of the 2017-18 season with the Boston Celtics, Hayward has played in more than 52 games only once.
Taking on a player with that kind of injury history is certainly risky for the Lakers, given their issues in that department already. Alas, if the price is right, Rob Pelinka could pull the trigger as this team needs help in the worst way.
Hayward is averaging 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 31.9 minutes per game this season. He is knocking down 36.1 percent of his 3-point attempts and would be an ideal addition to this roster if he could stay healthy.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
