LA Lakers Rumors Roundup: Anthony Davis and LeBron James trade on the cards, Russell Westbrook intentionally kept as scapegoat, and more
The LA Lakers stink so badly, according to most basketball analysts, that the rebuilding should promptly start by trading LeBron James and Anthony Davis. LA could keep “King James” until after he breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record before he’s moved for a pile of draft picks.
Even without Russell Westbrook for at least one game, the Lakers looked like they're at best a play-in team. The Lakers could finish with another humiliating season and could intentionally retain the former MVP to make him the scapegoat.
On Oct. 30, the LA Lakers will retire pioneering legend George Mikan’s jersey. The team’s mess could prevent team governor Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka from attending as the expected boos could overshadow the ceremony.
LA Lakers should seriously consider trading both LeBron James and Anthony Davis to launch a full rebuild
Most basketball experts believe the LA Lakers couldn’t be any worse than they were last season. They’ve proven those expectations wrong after a horrendous 0-4 start that’s showing so many loopholes that could take years to fix.
NBA Insider Ric Bucher appeared on “The Odd Couple” podcast and gave his thoughts on this possibility:
“The Lakers have to understand it's time to rebuild. ... It’s either just ride this to the end and accept that you’re not gonna be good or if you wanna start the rebuilding process, do it now and see what you can get for Anthony Davis and LeBron James if he’s amenable but only after he breaks the record.
"I’m sure he wants to break the record in a Laker uniform. After that, all bets are off."
The LA Lakers, however, are a prideful franchise and could choose to sink with the superstar drawing power of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. James’ last two seasons in LA could be the same farewell tour that the late Kobe Bryant had before retiring.
Lakers could intentionally keep Russell Westbrook to continuously make him the scapegoat
After so much promise that this season could be much better than last year’s epic failure, the LA Lakers could be much worse off. They’re currently winless in four games and could start the season 0-10 or worse.
Since last season and in the Lakers’ first three games, Russell Westbrook has been pointed out by many as the reason for the team’s failures. Without him for at least one game, that idea has been completely debunked. The Hollywood squad is just as bad with or without the former MVP.
The LA Lakers, however, need a fall guy the way they did last season with Frank Vogel and Westbrook. With Vogel gone, “Russ” could be kept for the same reason. Ric Bucher gave a deviously intriguing analysis during his guest appearance on “The Odd Couple” podcast:
“Is Russ Westbrook a great fit? No. Is he the reason that they are where they are? Absolutely not. I have a feeling that they don’t wanna get rid of him cause if they do, they’re not gonna have any other excuses. It’s gonna be, ‘Wait a minute, Russ is gone and we still stink.’"
The Lakers’ brutal schedule to start the season could determine Westbrook’s fate. Whether he ends up somewhere else or stays will be must-see TV.
George Mikan’s jersey retirement ceremony could be overshadowed by boos if Jeanie Buss or Rob Pelinka attends
More than 60 years after he played his last NBA game, the LA Lakers will finally retire George Mikan’s jersey. No. 99 will go up the rafters as a well-deserved and long-awaited honor. The event will be momentous, particularly for diehard basketball fans and Laker Nation.
The applause and celebration for the legendary big man could quickly turn into boos if Jeanie Buss or Rob Pelinka are in attendance. Sam Quinn tweeted the possibility that both could stay out of the limelight to make the event more appropriate:
“The Lakers are retiring George Mikan’s number on Sunday. Usually, the owner or GM leads such ceremonies. Jeanie spoke at Kobe’s ceremony. I don’t think the Lakers can put Jeanie or Rob on the floor Sunday. They’d get booed so loudly it would overshadow Mikan’s long overdue honor."
The Lakers are retiring George Mikan’s number on Sunday. Usually the owner or GM leads such ceremonies. Jeanie spoke at Kobe’s ceremony.
I don’t think the Lakers can put Jeanie or Rob on the floor Sunday. They’d get booed so loudly it would overshadow Mikan’s long overdue honor.
The LA Lakers are embarrassingly off to a 0-4 start, which could be even worse as the season moves forward. They are turning into the NBA’s favorite punchline with one humiliating loss after another.
Laker Nation was hoping for a bounceback year after last season’s epic failure but is unlikely to see that. Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka are not expected to receive the applause that’s rightfully reserved for George Mikan.