“Trade'em! Trade'em! Trade'em!' What's the deal? What's the trade?" – NBA analyst asserts LA Lakers' future is in jeopardy if they trade their draft picks this season
The LA Lakers are in disarray, and there have been rumors that the team should start trading their future assets to save their season. However, one expert thinks the team should hold back in trading their assets.
ESPN's Zach Lowe isn't a fan of the Lakers trading away more future picks just to save one disastrous season. Fans and other media members, on the other hand, have expressed their desire for the organization to shake up the roster. So far, the front office hasn't made any moves that include their future assets.
"The Lakers are bad and they need to be something other than bad to justify trading those picks. Those are really, really valuable assets," Lowe said on "NBA Today."
"It's easy to say, 'Trade'em! Trade'em! Trade'em!' What's the deal? What's the trade? Name me the trade that turns this team with the worst offense in the league, already injuries have been a problem for their best players, with the worst 3-point shooting in the league, into a title contender.
"You don't trade those picks because it sounds good now. Flash forward to 2026: The Lakers are still bad, LeBron's gone, AD's old, whatever the case may be."
While touching their future assets helped them win the 2020 title, those moves came back to haunt them this season. During the 2021 offseason, they gave up their 2021 pick. Despite being in the second-round, it still could've been valuable to the Lakers.
The Washington Wizards have agreed to trade Russell Westbrook, 2024 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and No. 22 tonight, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Los Angeles is now near the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference with a 3-10 record. The Lakers will play the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, but are still without LeBron James.
Also read: LA Lakers Rumors Roundup: Myles Turner could head to Clippers, fans go wild over Buddy Hield trade speculation, and more
Could Kyrie Irving become a member of the LA Lakers?
The LA Lakers are desperately trying to find answers to their struggles this season. One name that keeps on being in the mix is Kyrie Irving. With the Brooklyn Nets, he's stirred up a ton of controversy. Irving is currently suspended but is expected to be back on the floor on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
According to former NBA player Jason Smith, there is a possibility of the LA Lakers landing Irving via trade. This could all come to fruition before Christmas.
"The Nets are going to find a way to send Kyrie to the Lakers," Smith said. "Kyrie will be controversy free, will have a fresh start with the Lakers. The desperation of the Nets and the Lakers will make this happen sooner than later. This will happen by Christmas, and by Christmas, Kyrie Irving will be a Los Angeles Laker."
So far, there's no assurance if it will happen. However, there's a good chance that it could happen.
To find out more about this story, click here.