Former 6th Man of the Year believes moving LeBron James will put LA Lakers into contention
Lamar Odom believes the LA Lakers should trade LeBron James to become title contenders. The Lakers haven't built a decent roster around the team's superstars. They are expected to make a trade at some point to improve their squad and establish themselves as legitimate contenders.
However, the Lakers don't have the assets to acquire quality role players. They could get a couple of impactful role players, but that won't be enough to sustain a title challenge.
Odom believes James' trade value could help the Lakers secure multiple contributing players in return, making them contenders again.
Here's what Odom said regarding this on "The LADE Show" podcast (via Lakers All Day Everyday):
"If you trade LeBron, you know, you're doing more than rebuilding. If you did, you're probably gonna put yourself right back into contention. You're gonna get half a team... You're picking two or three players that have been playing together already.
"It is God James, I do call him God James, but God knows that the world evolves. And to keep the evolvement of my Purple and Gold, it's almost bigger than God James."
🤔Lamar Odom says if the Lakers traded LEBRON, it would put them right back into contention 👀🤔 https://t.co/IkP73Ctuom
There have been suggestions from analysts, former players, and fans that the Lakers should trade one of LeBron James or Anthony Davis. Despite their injuries and gradual decline over the last two seasons, they still have value in the market.
James is still the face of the league, while Davis remains an impactful two-way big. The Lakers superstars could be highly impactful on a contending team. Meanwhile, LA will secure decent draft compensation and young players with tremendous upside.
LA Lakers unlikely to move LeBron James or Anthony Davis
The LA Lakers are at a crossroads right now. They have a star-studded roster with three potential first-ballot Hall of Famers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, leading their charge.
However, the Lakers have exhausted almost all of their valuable trade assets and cap flexibility in building this team. They haven't surrounded their big three with enough talent to win consistently. The Lakers are 3-10 this season, having recorded multiple five-game losing streaks.
Also read: LeBron James and other core players want the team to trade first round picks to salvage 'high-level' LeBron year
LeBron James has continued his stellar production in year 20, averaging 24.9 points per game. However, he is shooting 45.7% from the field, his worst mark since his rookie year. There's an evident decline in his athleticism, and "Father Time" could be catching up to him.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis has consistently struggled to be the No. 1 option for the team. He hasn't been able to replicate his heroics from his first year in LA. The Lakers will have to rethink whether to continue with him as their torch bearer once James is not around.
Trading both players or one of them seems like an option the LA Lakers should consider. However, it remains an unlikely proposition. According to insider Chris Haynes, the Lakers haven't contacted teams interested in Davis.
James remains their best player at this stage, and the Lakers are unlikely to trade him in the middle of the season unless he demands a move.
Multiple reports suggest the Lakers could make moves to improve their roster this season, indicating their belief that LeBron James and Anthony Davis could lead them to glory if they have a solid supporting cast.
Also read: Bojan Bogdanovic of Detroit Pistons a trade target as Lakers aim to add another shooter to the roster