Darvin Ham on LA Lakers' expected approach before trade deadline: "Shooting always helps"
LA Lakers head coach Darvin Ham recently outlined the team's plans before the trade deadline. With Ham highlighting how shooting could be necessary, the Lakers head coach offered an interesting outlook on the matter as well.
The LA Lakers have been a dangerously inconsistent team this season. While they have racked up some tremendous winning streaks, they have also recorded equally abysmal losing streaks.
Several factors could be considered as the reason for such performances. While late-game execution has certainly been the primary concern as of late, Purple and Gold have more pressing matters to battle through.
Much like last season, the LA Lakers have been plagued by injuries this year. With superstar big man Anthony Davis out of the rotation, the Lakeshow were already severely shorthanded. However, the additional losses of key players such as Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV, among others, really hurt the team's chances.
In light of this, the Lakers still managed to hang tough for quite a few games. Unfortunately, huge efforts resulting in losses aren't rewarded with consolation rewards of any form.
With a trade deadline looming on the horizon, the Lakers have a lot of decisions to make. In this regard, Ham expressed his thoughts on what the Lakers needed to turn their season around in an interview with The Athletic's Jovan Buha. As per Lakers Nation's Daniel Starkland, Ham said:
"Our focus, obviously we've done our due diligence and looked at people that are available, but also our primary focus first and foremost is getting our guys back healthy."
"We talked about a couple of guys like Austin and Lonnie, so once they're reevaluated here in a couple of days then we'll be able to pivot in a direction that we see that's gonna serve us best."
"I can't really pinpoint what we need at this point, shooting always helps, but at the end of the day, our team is coming together. They've been playing really well together."
Ham also offered a positive outlook for the future as key players make their gradual return to action. He added:
"It sucks that we've had guys out for various reasons, injuries, illnesses, but as we start to get these guys back then we'll be able to better identify if there's anything that we want to do."
Darvin Ham was asked by @jovanbuha pregame if there's a position or skillset he feels the #Lakers need to add before the trade deadline. While he mostly gave a non-answer and said getting guys healthy will fix some of their issues, he did slip in that "shooting always helps." https://t.co/lGl5P3RtLy
What do the LA Lakers need to turn their season around?
The LA Lakers are in an unfavorable situation. After mounting an impressive winning streak without Anthony Davis and several key players, the Lakers are facing a significant shift in momentum.
At this point in the season, this is not a good sign. In this regard, the Lakers have been urged to make trades to benefit the team.
Players such as Eric Gordon and Bojan Bogdanovic have repeatedly been on the Lakers' radar. Indiana Pacers sharpshooter Buddy Hield has been a target since the offseason. While other players have been in the mix, the Lakers have prioritized shooters and bucket-getters.
Unfortunately, due to the Lakers' bankruptcy in draft capital, the team has really struggled to complete a trade for any of these players.
The LA Lakers were solid when at full strength. However, the waiting game may not necessarily bear much fruit as the season slips away with every passing game.