LA Lakers News Roundup: Insider suggests trade to land Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, analyst believes LeBron James is among the losers this offseason, and more | July 29, 2022

The LA Lakers haven't signed a big name this offseason. Kyrie Irving has been linked to the team, but talks haven't progressed between LA and the Brooklyn Nets over a possible deal. The Lakers have been strategic in their approach, but are aware that they need more impactful players around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

One NBA analyst believes James has been the biggest loser this offseason. As things stand, the Lakers are far from being considered legitimate challengers in the Western Conference, a rare occurrence for one of James' teams.

Here are the latest stories surrounding the LA Lakers as of July 29, 2022.

Insider suggests trade for LA Lakers to land Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving

Boston Celtics v Brooklyn Nets - Game Three

If the LA Lakers want to be a force to be reckoned with next campaign, they might need to move Russell Westbrook. They also need to add star power to their current roster.

According to Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus, an anonymous NBA insider has suggested that the Lakers should trade Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook to Brooklyn for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

The Nets are open to moving both their stars. Durant has already asked to be moved, but Brooklyn hasn't received offers to its liking. Meanwhile, the franchise won't be keen to keep Irving if Durant leaves.

Davis, meanwhile, is considered the cornerstone of the Lakers. He helped the team win their 17th NBA title in his debut campaign and is in the prime of his career. As such, the LA Lakers are unlikely to listen to offers for him.

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Analyst believes LeBron James is the biggest loser this offseason

2022 NBA Summer League - Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers

With LeBron James turning 38 later this year, his window to win a title is closing. The LA Lakers haven't made a drastic effort to improve their chances of winning a title this offseason. They have added younger and more athletic players, but none of them are really capable of taking the team to the next level.

ESPN's Tim Bontemps believes the LA Lakers' lack of activity this offseason makes James one of the biggest losers of the summer. Here's what he said on "The Hoop Collective" podcast:

"I think LeBron is a loser of the summer, and I think it's for what you were alluding to, in that, obviously the Lakers made this catastrophically bad Westbrook trade a year ago. We talked about Russ last week. We don't need to get into that any further."

Bontemps continued:

"But, if you're LeBron, going into your age 38 season, and the Lakers this summer, I think we all agree, they made better moves than last summer because they signed guys that were all 10 years younger than the guys they signed last summer."

"Now you've signed a bunch of younger, better bets as minimum players, but there still is a roster that's filled out with minimum players. If you're LeBron, you're looking around at this team, and you're saying, 'We're a team that is not good enough'."

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LeBron James' family foundation’s paint scheme to be on Chris Buescher’s No. 17 Ford for NASCAR race

I Promise School Grand Opening Celebration With LeBron James

The LeBron James Family Foundation will have its colors painted on RFK Racing's Chris Buescher’s No. 17 Ford for a NASCAR race on August 7. The LA Lakers talisman's charitable foundation was created to support the needs of the people in Akron, Ohio.

RFK Racing is owned by Fenway Sports Group. LeBron James is a minority owner of the group and this paved the way for the branding of the LeBron James Family Foundation on one of RFK Racing's cars.