Rumors have been swirling around the Los Angeles Lakers regarding potential changes to their roster, particularly concerning their superstar duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Despite a shaky 14-12 start to the season, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports that the Lakers have “no plans to break up their superstar duo” ahead of the February 6 trade deadline. Both players, who command hefty salaries-Davis at $43.2 million and James at $48.7 million-are viewed as almost untouchable unless they express a desire to leave Los Angeles.
The Lakers’ strategy appears focused on enhancing the supporting cast around their All-Star pairing rather than dismantling it. Interestingly, the report also highlights that Bronny James, LeBron’s son, won’t be part of any trade discussions unless his father is involved, thanks to LeBron’s no-trade clause.
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ESPN’s Brian Windhorst mentioned that the Golden State Warriors “will definitely” keep an eye on LeBron’s situation, but he also noted that James has shown no interest in leaving the Lakers, having rejected a potential move to Golden State last year.
While the Lakers do have several tradeable contracts, including D’Angelo Russell ($18.7 million), Rui Hachimura ($17.0 million), Gabe Vincent ($11 million), and Jarred Vanderbilt ($10.7 million), finding suitable trade partners has proven difficult. The team’s efforts to move Russell have not yielded results, indicating that trading away these players may not be as straightforward as anticipated.
Enhancing the roster around James and Davis
On the other hand, young talents like Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, and Max Christie are considered “long-term core pieces” for the team. The Lakers view these players as integral to their future, making them unlikely candidates for trades unless a significant star becomes available. Their team-friendly contracts further solidify their standing within the organization.
Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins suggested that the Lakers might “entertain” the idea of trading LeBron if he requested it, but current indications suggest that the franchise is committed to its star players. As the trade deadline looms, the focus seems to be on acquiring complementary pieces to augment the team’s performance rather than pursuing any drastic changes involving their marquee players. The Lakers are poised to strengthen their roster while keeping their core intact, signaling a clear intent to compete with their current lineup.
