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The LA Lakers have their eyes set on the NBA trade deadline in February. With a lack of assets, the organization will have to be careful with any move.
After a slow start to the season, the Lakers (14-20) have started to show some signs of life and could make a run at a Western Conference playoff spot.
To do that, the Lakers are going to need to acquire additional pieces for their roster. It could prove to be challenging, given the lack of trade chips for the front office to intrigue rival teams with.
Los Angeles has traded away a number of future first-round picks in prior deals. That includes their 2023 NBA draft selection, which is expected to go to the New Orleans Pelicans from the Anthony Davis deal. Because of this, Los Angeles will have to be realistic with the type of players they can acquire.
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On FanDuel TV's "Run It Back" podcast, NBA insider Shams Charania said the Lakers should be patient with the picks they have:
“The Lakers are gonna have to be patient with those two first-round picks that they have," Charania said. "Those are their only two assets for the rest of the decade.”
LA Lakers going to have to be strategic with potential moves ahead of trade deadline
The LA Lakers find themselves in an interesting situation. On one hand, the team has gotten sensational play from LeBron James and Anthony Davis this year.
However, Davis is sidelined with a foot injury. Although LeBron continues to produce, the Lakers will need Davis back in the lineup to have any chance at the playoffs. While the Lakers could be aggressive in trying to acquire another piece, it could prove costly for their future.
The Lakers' roster doesn't have a lot of assets that are desired around the NBA. Their only trade chips to throw around include a pair of future first-round draft picks. Those picks would most likely be after LeBron James has left the team, suggesting they could be of great value.
While the Lakers have Russell Westbrook on their roster, his contract could present challenges for opposing teams as well. Westbrook has been sensational with his turnaround this season, but his $47.0 million salary could be challenging for opposing teams to take on.
James is averaging 27.8 points per game and, with 37,786 points, is fast closing in on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA scoring record of 38,387.
