Former NBA champion predicts Lakers not opting for a trade this season: “People will get traded no matter how nice you are”
After a rough start to the season, many are awaiting the LA Lakers to start making moves. That said, one former player thinks there's a chance they'll go the whole season without doing anything.
Throughout his 17 years in the NBA, Metta World Peace has seen it all. The biggest moment of his career came in 2010, when he helped lead LA to a title alongside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.
Metta World Peace was recently a guest on "The Anthony Irwin Show" to discuss one of his former teams. When the idea of the Lakers making a trade was brought up, he countered with the idea of them doing nothing and riding things out:
"Well you know, a trade might not happen. Maybe they make it the whole season. As a player, you hear what's going on. ...
"It's a great life, it's basketball, you're gonna get traded. People will get traded no matter how nice you are. It's just the game."
Thought this was really insightful from @MettaWorld37 when I asked how he'd handle playing on this team with this amount of trade noise.
Full show: linktr.ee/LakersSBN https://t.co/Q4iWs3arfo
Could the LA Lakers go the whole season without making a trade?
Seeing how the LA Lakers are almost at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, it'd be shocking to see them sit on their hands and do nothing. However, Metta World Peace isn't the only one advocating for LA to throw this year away.
Also Read: Shannon Sharpe says the LA Lakers are right to not give up 2 draft picks in a trade: "[They] are not a contending team, give up 2 draft picks for what, to be in the play-in?"
Given that they have limited assets at their disposal, general manager Rob Pelinka has few chances to get the franchise back on track. One reason the organization might feel pressured to do something is because the window for LeBron James and Anthony Davis is rapidly closing. At 37-years-old, there is no telling how much time the four-time MVP has left as a high-impact player.
If LA were to do something, it'd have to involve moving Russell Westbrook and their two first-round draft picks for significant depth. Even with Westbrook's recent stellar play off the bench, the team should be looking to get out of his massive contract.
LeBron and AD have proven they can lead the team to the title, but they need depth around them. Based on how lackluster the supporting cast is, the writing might already be on the wall. LA might end up being better off just throwing in the towel now instead of burning the last of their assets to maybe have a shot at the postseason.