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The LA Lakers have been consistently linked to multiple trades in recent weeks, including those for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield.
The Lakers were expected to sign both players from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Russell Westbrook. The Lakers are in need of shooting, which Turner and Hield can provide. However, the Lakers have been hesitant to make a trade due to their reluctance to part with their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, which is a coveted asset for Indiana and other teams.
According to multiple sources, executives and agents around the league believed that the Lakers would cave in and agree to a trade for Westbrook with the Pacers. That did not happen and now the team is struggling to even make the play-in spot despite consistently strong performances from LeBron James.
Jason Timpf believes that it was the LA Lakers' indecision regarding the two picks that ended up hampering their chances of acquiring Buddy Hield or Turner. Speaking on the "Game Theory" podcast, Timpf claimed that the LA Lakers needed to make signings before the previous deadline and need to provide LeBron James and company a “fighting chance”:
“When you try to put guys in the right roles, things will even out. I am a big believer that a couple of moves on the periphery. For starters, it will give LeBron a fighting chance. But then when Anthony Davis comes back, everything is in place. I still like Bojan Bogdanovic. There are other guys as well. Such as Patrick Beverley for a Rudy Gay.
"At the end of the day, if LeBron is gonna play this good and AD will return to his pre-injury levels at some point, they deserve a fighting chance. Give them a fighting chance.”
LA Lakers continue their struggles in Anthony Davis’ absence
The LA Lakers are 13th in the Western Conference with a 16-21 record and have relied solely on LeBron James to turn the tide. James has been in top form in recent weeks and is averaging 29 points for the season.
Anthony Davis does not look any closer to a return, while Russell Westbrook is merely a bench player. Jason Timpf believes that the LA Lakers need to sign players in order to help LeBron.
Timpf believes that apart from helping the Lakers save the current season, such a move will also demonstrate confidence for young players who want to play for the Lakers in the future:
“Uniquely because it is the LA Lakers, and all they really have to do is demonstrate a brief window of competence to restore faith in young basketball players of this world who might want to play for them.
"I would go all in on this LeBron James window, mainly because I am more of a title or bust kind of guy. From that standpoint, we know that in order to win at the highest levels, you don’t need a star, but one of the stars, like one of the prominent guys in the league.”
