NBA analyst shares bitter advice for Lakers to improve their status quo: “It's time to rebuild and whether LeBron wants to stay or not”
It's tough to put into words why the LA Lakers have struggled this season. On one hand, the team boasts one of the NBA's best defensive efficiency ratings. On the other hand, they have one of the league's worst offenses by a wide margin. With the team in the midst of a slump that has seen them go winless throughout their first four games, something needs to change.
Although the obvious answer may be to trade Russell Westbrook and acquire perimeter shooters, there's one catch. Any deal for the 2016-17 MVP might also have to include draft picks, something that could hurt the team long term. With LeBron James signing a two-year contract extension in August, it seems the front office is willing to ride things out.
That hasn't sat well with many fans and critics given the lackluster start. According to longtime analyst Ric Bucher, the team needs to begin a rebuild regardless of James' plans.
"The Lakers have to understand it's time to rebuild, whether LeBron wants to stay or not," Bucher said on Fox Sports Radio's 'The Odd Couple.' "If LeBron doesn't want that, then I'm going to try to move him, too. I know he wants to break the (all-time scoring) record while he's a Laker, but there are way too many holes with this Lakers team."
You can catch his comments in the video below beginning around the 5:30 mark.
Are Lakers tanking to acquire Victor Wembanyama?
As many analysts, fans and critics have pointed out, the Lakers could look to tank in order to acquire a generational talent in Victor Wembanyama. With the odds currently having the Lakers as 100 to 1 underdogs to win the title, the team seems to be going nowhere fast.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, of course, has implored teams to compete rather than tank. As he said, the league has met hundreds of times to find a way to combat tanking. Of course, with no clear-cut answer for how to prevent it, the league will have to rely on good faith.
However, the Lakers don't control their first-round pick this season. As part of the trade for Anthony Davis in 2019, control of that pick is held by the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lakers first need to trade to get an additional first-round pick. What's more, they'll have to trade with a team that stands a good chance of landing in the lottery. Of course, those teams will be reluctant to give up what could be a golden ticket.
Possible options for trading LeBron James and Anthony Davis
The way Bucher sees things, the Lakers should look to trade Anthony Davis, and if need be LeBron James, in order to secure a lottery pick. If the team is able to trade up in the draft, they could either draft Wembanyama and start a rebuild or trade the pick for a win-now-type player.
"At this point, you're not going anywhere," Bucher said. "This team is not going anywhere so if I can trade (AD), now and it means I'm going to lose, the other problem is you don't have your pick, right?
"But if you can get some quality picks in this draft, if I can find a way to get a lottery pick and I have a chance at Wembanyama even if it's a long shot or Scoot (Henderson), I'm doing that."
Of course, that's easier said than done. Wembanyama is the most highly touted prospect many years. With no shortage of teams seeking the talents of the 7-foot-3 star, LA will have some competition in any trade talks.