"If the Lakers don't make a trade, it's a wasted season" - LA Lakers insider predicts LeBron James and Co.'s future, fires warning to front office
The LA Lakers continue to be one of the NBA's most inactive teams this offseason, prompting worry among their fanbase. According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, the franchise's front office must capitalize on the upcoming season's trade market to avoid another underwhelming year.
This past season, LA finished seventh (47-35) in the Western Conference, suffering a 4-1 first-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets. Given the team's aging core, headlined by superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, many expected its roster to be revamped this summer.
Instead, the Lakers have more-or-less stood pat, drafting rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James and extending LeBron James and wing prospect Max Christie. They haven't added any established players, with their only reported free-agency signing being former Memphis Grizzlies two-way contract guard Jordan Goodwin.
Thus, LA's biggest offseason move has arguably been its coaching change, replacing Darvin Ham with first-time coach JJ Redick.
As the 2024-25 NBA campaign draws closer, Lakers fans have grown increasingly worried about potentially enduring another underwhelming season. On Tuesday, Buha responded to a fan's concern regarding LA's lack of roster improvement. According to the insider, the team's in-season trade activity will likely make or break its hopes of contending.
"I would say if the Lakers don't make a trade, it's a wasted season, in my opinion," Buha said. "Just because I don't think, as currently constructed, they are a legitimate championship contender with their current roster. So, if they don't go for it and trade at least one of their picks, that, to me, is a wasted season."
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As Buha alluded to, the Lakers have their 2029 and 2031 first-round draft picks at their disposal if they want to make an all-in trade. However, the organization's willingness to do so will likely depend on how close it appears to challenging the West's premier contenders.
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Jovan Buha outlines one scenario in which it would be acceptable for Lakers to stand pat during 2024-25 season
While discussing the prospect of the Lakers' upcoming season being a write-off, Jovan Buha outlined one scenario in which zero in-season trades would be acceptable.
Per Buha, that would involve LA's younger players, like Austin Reaves and Max Christie, taking substantial leaps and JJ Redick making ideal rotation adjustments.
If those developments happen, and the Lakers unexpectedly climb to the top of the West standings, Buha would accept the franchise standing pat.
"The one caveat would be they're the No. 1 or 2 seed in the West, they're on a 60-win pace, they're having an incredible season, D-Lo's balling out, Austin has taken a step, Max has taken a step off the bench, they've figured out the right starting combination and everything's humming, that's the one caveat," Buha said.
However, given how much of a dogfight the West is projected to be, that appears to be an unlikely scenario.
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