Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Marvi

Buha: The Lakers are preaching patience when it comes to trades

Most, if not all, Los Angeles Lakers fans are frustrated about how this offseason has gone so far. The team has thus far made only two moves — signing Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, its two draft picks last month.

They went after a few notable free agents, including Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan and Gary Trent Jr. But all of them elected to sign with other teams.

There have been some trade rumors involving the Lakers, most notably rumors concerning Jerami Grant, a two-way forward currently with the Portland Trail Blazers. The price for him will reportedly be steep, and the Blazers reportedly don’t want guard D’Angelo Russell in a potential deal.

According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the franchise is “preaching patience” when it comes to looking for the right trade. At the same time, it believes improved health and internal improvement will make the team better.

Via The Athletic:

“As things stand, the Lakers are preaching patience that the right trade will eventually materialize while betting that healthier versions of Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, the addition of Knecht and the promotion of [Max] Christie into the rotation will shore up the group’s perimeter defense, athleticism and shooting,” wrote Buha.

On one hand, it is true that another year of roster continuity could help the Lakers do better.

“With another season of [LeBron] James, [Anthony] Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Vanderbilt and Christie, the Lakers’ core will have been together for parts of three seasons once 2024-25 begins,” Buha continued. “The continuity that eluded the Lakers last season — in part because of injuries and rotational decisions — appears to finally be on track for next season.”

At the same time, simply doing better and, say, reaching the Western Conference Finals again wouldn’t be enough.

This is a franchise that has won 17 NBA championships and measures success in that manner. With LeBron James’ career winding down, the Lakers are very much on the clock as far as trying to return to championship contention.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.