What can the Lakers use to make trades? – Orange County Register


Editor’s Note: This is the Monday, January 17th edition of the Purple & Bold Lakers newsletter from reporter Kyle Goon. To receive newsletters in your inbox, Register here.


You can’t sum up the Lakers’ week better than LeBron James did in his tweet Sunday night.

#LakerNation I’m sorry and I promise we’ll be better! ‘ he wrote.

James rarely apologizes, but after this week it will be self-explanatory:

WEEK OF ASSESSMENT

Wednesday, L, Sacramento Kings 125, Lakers 116

Saturday, L, Denver Nuggets 133, Lakers 96

The Lakers (21-22) are ranked 7th with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 7th place on the Western Conference standings (Minnesota owns a 2-1 draw), 12.5 behind the top team Phoenix Suns (33-9) battle.

HIGH SCORE: With 2:19 remaining in the second half against Sacramento, LeBron James scored three points from the top of the arc into the face of Marvin Bagley III. The Lakers lead by 14 points, which is their biggest lead in the game and, unfortunately, for the week.

BAD SCORE: In a game that really redefines the “low score” for the Lakers, they were kicked around in the last three quarters against Denverr, allowing Bones Hyland and Jeff Green to sail with them. The 37-point defeat is the worst of the season, and it’s the biggest win streak the Nuggets have ever had against the Lakers. Russell Westbrook urges his team not to play hard. LeBron James doesn’t speak publicly at all.

TOPICS BEING NOTICED: We’re less than a month away from the trading deadline (February 10) and the Lakers’ performances are reaching a point where fans are wondering what could happen in the trading markets. After doubting the Lakers’ ability to trade for Westbrook this summer, I’ve learned that it’s best to never rule anything out, because surprising moves always happen in the NBA. But a quick look at what the Lakers have in their treasury shows how tight their choices are in the quest to match 80% of the upcoming paychecks they’ll be taking (and essentially the increase their tax bill):

– Talen Horton-Tucker, who are averaging 10.6 points per game with a lower effective scoring rate (44.4%) than Westbrook. He is 21 years old with good length and driving ability, but so far, his chances of becoming a useful playmaker for a contender or a budding star have been largely theoretical. He is making $9.5 million this season.

– Kendrick Nunn, who has not competed and is still in individual training during rehabilitation because of a bruise on his right knee. The Lakers insist he will play a big part when he is healthy, but he has a lot to prove. He is making $5 million this season.

– Minimum contract, all of which are not helpful except getting closer to the right salary. The veterans most likely to spend are DeAndre Jordan and Kent Bazemore, who have barely played recently.

– Choose the first round of 2027 or the first pick of 2028, but not both because of Stepien’s Rule, that’s also why they couldn’t trade any options in previous years.

It’s not a great collection of top players expected to hit the commercial market, such as Detroit’s Jerami Grant ($20 million this year), whose fans fans The Lakers seem ready to hold a welcome parade tomorrow. It’s not for nothing, but it’s not a good sign that every Lakers tradable asset is at least a little miserable. And for those in the “Trade Russ” band, it’s not a topic worth discussing at this point: No NBA team has called for a $47 million player pick ready. of Westbrook next year.

HEAT UP: There is a temptation to say “no one” here, but Austin Reaves recently pulled more than his weight. It couldn’t have been more evident than his 19-point game against Sacramento, when he scored his career best mark for the second time in two games. It’s really hard now to imagine the Lakers without Reaves as a skinny (if skinny) defender, a cutthroat and good enough as a shooter to create space on the floor. The nasty opinion about Reaves is that he could be worth as a commercial asset if the Lakers want to move on to a more seasoned veteran, even though his sub-million dollar salary hardly helps the Lakers. get anything interesting.

HYPOTHERMIA: Not a criticism, but an observation: Trevor Ariza maybe not a work as the Lakers once suggested. He had a productive week in two games, going 4 to 7 from 3 with eight rebounds and six assists. But the Lakers were trailed by a top 36 in his 46 minutes, which shows some of his struggles on defense, where he’s not the fluid athlete he was before. in his career. He usually plays offensively in a passive position. Ariza hasn’t helped the Lakers as much as once hoped as a gap forward, but perhaps hopes shouldn’t be too high.

TRADE REPORT: The Lakers are expected to give an update on Anthony Davis (left knee MCL sprain) earlier this week. He has now missed 13 games, where the Lakers are 5-8. ESPN has reported that the Lakers expect him to return to the team during the upcoming six-game road trip that begins Friday in Orlando. It’s questionable how much urgency is added to an awkward defense without Davis. Kendrick Nunn is still on the slow, slow road back. Carmelo Anthony has missed two games in a row with lower back pain, which Frank Vogel calls “day in and day out” but must be monitored for 37 years old.

PRICE CAN BE PRICED: After weeks of dodging or ignoring past questions about his shooting, Russell Westbrook was frankly refreshing on Wednesday night when a reporter came up with the word “drop” after 2 of his 14 nights: β€œHey man, who are you talking to? I can’t make a shot (finish), boy. ”

BEFORE SURVEY: The Lakers’ biggest area to work on is defense, and luckily for them they have games coming up against particularly cold teams this month. Indiana is 23rd in offensive rating (108.2) and Orlando is 29th (102.9) in January; teams have a combined 2-13 record in 2022. The Jazz will be tough, but their defense has been very vulnerable lately (defensive rating 116.9 in January). The biggest offense the Lakers will face this week is in Miami, where Erik Spoelstra has his roster matching the Phoenix Suns in terms of offensive ratings in 2022 (116.9) and Bam Adebayo has may return to the lineup for that match.

COMING SOON (All time PT)

Monday, Utah, 7:30 p.m. (NBA TV)

Wednesday, Indiana, 7:30 p.m

Friday, in Orlando, 4 p.m

Sunday, in Miami, 3 p.m. (NBA TV)

– Kyle Goon


Editor’s Note: Thank you for reading the Purple & Bold Lakers newsletter from reporter Kyle Goon. To receive newsletters in your inbox, Register here.


https://www.ocregister.com/2022/01/17/weekly-reset-what-can-the-lakers-use-to-make-a-trade/ What can the Lakers use to make trades? – Orange County Register

Huynh Nguyen

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