The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a disastrous 2021-22 NBA campaign.
Clearly changes need to be made.
And they aren’t just limited to Russell Westbrook’s status.
L.A. isn’t quite sure yet what pieces it wants to acquire to right the ship, but the front office seems set on what players it is prepared to part with.
According to HoopsHype NBA Insider Mike Scotto, there is a clear picture out there of what the Lakers are preparing to dangle as trade bait this summer.
“I’d be shocked if Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and multiple first-round picks aren’t dangled on the trade market this summer for the Lakers,” he said.
“When you look at their roster outside of LeBron and Davis, that’s the only way for them to try to improve the team. I don’t think it’ll get the team anything back of consequence. They tried to dangle that before the trade deadline.
“I find it tough for them unless they’re going to somehow try to consolidate Westbrook’s contract into multiple pieces and do the reverse of what they did when they traded for him from the Wizards.”
“I think the Lakers ideally want to try to trade Westbrook without attaching a pick and get several role players to fill out the roster,” Yossi Gozlan added.
“Then, try to package Horton-Tucker and Nunn for something else. Both players can bring back around $20 million. Maybe they attach a pick there and see what they can get.”
It will be interesting to see where the Lakers go from here.
Trade chatter involving a potential Anthony Davis deal is intensifying. LeBron James appears to be scoping out his next move. No legit coach wants to take this group over. Westbrook, as mentioned, is a mess.
— Game 7 (@game7__) April 21, 2022
Will the Lakers ultimately be able to get something of note back from a different squad and turn the franchise’s fortunes around?
Time will tell.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
