The Los Angeles Lakers were widely regarded as a favorite to acquire Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets.
When their final offer was deemed not good enough, the polarizing star was sent to the Dallas Mavericks instead.
Understandably, L.A. fans have now been left to wonder: where does the franchise go from here?
With just a few days left before the NBA Trade Deadline, the Lakers have a handful of realistic trade options in front of them.
According to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, there are several paths forward.
“Westbrook remains in trade conversations,” he wrote. “…with the Lakers attempting to find a trade or trades that can help them climb from 13th place to the middle of the playoff race, where the team feels, if healthy, it would have a chance to contend.”
“Guards Patrick Beverley and Lonnie Walker IV also are candidates for trades if the team needs to shed contracts worth less than Westbrook’s $47-million salary.”
Who could they get back for those guys?
“Toronto guards Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr., Atlanta guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, Detroit forward Bojan Bogdanovic (who the Pistons repeatedly have said isn’t available unless they’re blown away by an offer), Charlotte guard Terry Rozier and Utah guard Mike Conley all are viewed as possible trade targets depending on how the market shakes out between now and Thursday,” Woike added.
The Lakers were said to have a Plan B in place regardless of whether got Irving or not, and this will be the test.
L.A. is one of five teams in the hunt for Zach LaVine and has been linked to a particularly notable three-team trade over the last few days.
The video speaks for itself. Yikes. https://t.co/vJ1iD2wthd
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 7, 2023
Will Rob Pelinka and Co. ultimately be able to get something done?
One way or the other, the Lakers’ season will likely be decided by what occurs over the next 48 hours.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
