The Los Angeles Lakers are riding high as they’ve taken advantage of a home-heavy schedule to start the season 3-1, a complete 180 after last year’s 0-3 start to the season. But of course, the Lakers are not playing for three game win streaks in October. They’re playing for a championship. And with that in mind, everyone is looking at some of the weaknesses they’ve shown through three games.
ESPN’s senior NBA insider Brian Windhorst appraised the situation of several teams in the market to improve their team, including the Lakers, who don’t have a lot of avenues at their disposal. In case you forgot what they’re up against when it comes to making deal, let Windy remind you.
The Lakers also have a real problem in a lack of trade assets. They aren’t permitted to trade any first-round pick, and they don’t have a second-round pick available until 2023. They don’t have many tradable pieces, and three tradable players — Rondo, JaVale McGee and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — have no-trade clauses. Long story short, they have to play the buyout market, and even then, they currently don’t have a roster spot to sign anyone. Their two biggest trade assets, league executives believe, are Kuzma and Danny Green, but both play important roles.
The Lakers have a major issue when it comes to trying to improve their team and their hopes of playing the buyout market, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, is a smart one. But one that also requires a fair bit of chance that players they think will improve their team will actually become available once buyout season comes around in February and March.
