Pelinka sagely preaches patience as the proscribed best case cure for the disastrous reckless actions last offseason that led to what could easily be the worst season in the modern history of the Los Angeles Lakers.
But Pelinka now has reason to be patient, buoyed by Sunday night’s big win behind Anthony Davis, four days off to integrate now healthy Dennis Schröder and Thomas Bryant, and a favorable schedule the next 7 games.
We’ve learned every ‘if’ is a big ‘if’ with the Lakers but if Davis can continue to play at a high level and James, Schröder, and Bryant are healthy and ready to play, the Lakers could win 6 of next 7 and end November 9–11.
Seeing the Lakers turn their early season around would be certainly be welcome news for the Lakers’ front office that’s been under siege for their questionable roster construction and poor personnel decision making.
The improvement should allay any fears the Lakers’ front office may have had as to whether the current roster, including superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, was worth investing two very valuable draft picks.
What’s known for sure is the Lakers’ current roster needs more size and better shooting to be a legitimate championship contender. The bigger question is can this front office trade for the ‘right’ players this time?
The options of tanking this season to accumulate cap space and draft picks to fuel a monster makeover next summer or trading LeBron James and/or Anthony Davis and rebuilding were always just click-bait pipe dreams.
Bottom line, the Los Angeles Lakers have no viable options other than to trade Russell Westbrook and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks. Here are five key reasons why the Lakers ultimately make the big trade:
1. Reassure Fan Base Lakers Always Play to Win the Championship
Jeanie Buss is proud to say that the Lakers never tank and the single biggest reason the Lakers need to trade Russ and their two picks is to reassure their fanbase they always play to win the championship and will never tank.
2. Strengthen Image of Lakers As Home for NBA’s Greatest Superstars
Jeanie also wants the Lakers to be where great NBA superstars want to go and going all-in and trading Russ and the picks to help LeBron is exactly the move that will make future superstars want to wear purple and gold.
3. Keep Promises to LeBron James to Trade Picks to Upgrade Roster
The Lakers know keeping their promise to LeBron to trade the picks has to be done. Not keeping that promise would be lethal to their relationship. That’s why the Lakers have no choice but to trade Russ and the picks.
4. Solidify Mutually Beneficial Relationship with Klutch Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers and Klutch Sports Group have built a powerful alliance that has been mutually beneficial to both organizations. Lakers need to trade Russ and picks to solidify their relationship with Klutch.
5. Ensure Pelicans Don’t Swap Picks to Draft Victor Wembanyama
The Lakers biggest fear if they do not trade Russ and the picks to get better is that they may end up so deep in the lottery that they might end up giving Victor Wembanyama as an additional piece in the Anthony Davis trade.
Lakers will win 6 of next 7 and trade for Turner and Hield right after Thanksgiving.
Lakers might win their 6th or 7th game in 2022.
Isn’t your latest prediction a little early Tom? You predicted they would make a trade during this break. You still have 2 days left for them to make a trade. 🙂
I think the big win, AD’s play, 4 days off, return of Schroder and Bryant, and easy schedule will let them play out the month to be in a better position. Win 6 of 7 and team will be 9-10.
Every game Russ plays well off the bench, which has been most of them, a trade becomes less likely, IMO. Why? Not because I’m Mr. GloomDoom Anti-Trade Guy but rather because it allows for the following things to occur:
1) Rob and Co. save face for the OG Russ trade, Ham continues to get credit for working with a star player as his role changes and the Lakers can hope his value increases in Feb to something resembling a desirable player that they don’t have to use any picks at all to move.
2) Time for the team to figure out how to compete. One of the awesome things about turning the roster over in back-to-back seasons is that nobody knows one another. Again. There have been glimpses here and there of the team being able to forge an identity as gritty team that scores just enough.
3) For LeBron to really start defying Father Time. I think it was either late November or early December of last season when I declared LeBron James toast, too old to lead, and so on. He then strung together a solid three months of stellar play. If that happens again and AD is as we’ve seen him (even if he checks out here and there) it’s enough to be close to a .500 team. That should be good enough for a playin.
The Lakers desperately want 2 divergent things: to win now and to keep the draft picks. It’s why they’re dithering, waiting for a shred of hope to peek through the clouds and light the way forward. There is hope for the trade fans in that Russ was moved to the bench 3 games before I thought he would be Compared to last season’s lumbering pace when it came to roster choices that’s downright mercurial.
But with Ham openly and actively proclaiming Russ as being wonderful, The Buss kids not wanting to waste assets in the name of a wasted season, and Rob’s general ineptitude I expect a trade to still happen closer to February, if at all. I can still see the Lakers choose the surprising path of keeping Russ after this season, albeit on a much cheaper deal, and continue his 6th man role. That has the same odds as a trade happening this month (so quite low IMO) but it’s a definite possibility.
Now…is that smart? Probably not but the Lakers value wattage over a lot of other smart basketball things and Russ got that in spades. So the real debate should be what wins out: smart decisions now or historical tendencies?
LMFAO. There is no scenario that makes sense for the Lakers NOT to trade Russ. You can take that to the bank.
If the Lakers don’t trade Russ, they will have no salaries to match to trade for anything this summer, which means they won’t be able to use their three draft picks until midseason.
Next midseason, in case you forgot, will when LeBron only has a half of season left in purple and gold.
Ya ain’t that Fat LT! : )
I’ve long maintained a trade is most likely to happen in Feb. Nothing has changed that.
You’re just scared I’m right about them bringing him back next summer. It is an interesting notion, though.
Nor gonna lie but I don’t think I’ll ever take your trade predictions to the bank, LT. They’re wrong most of the time and I don’t like to bounce checks.
Current personal Lakers Trade Russ at the Deadline: 60/40 against. Drops with every win and him playing 6th man role.