Despite some of the Lakers‘ recent struggles, it doesn’t sound like the team will be a seller ahead of this year’s trade deadline.
Per The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, LA has no interest in trading LeBron James or Anthony Davis this season and says they’re the only players on the roster who are truly “untouchables.”
“Two players who almost certainly won’t be traded, barring them asking out of Los Angeles, are Davis ($43.2 million) and James ($48.7 million),” Buha wrote. “Despite the recent groundswell from certain media and fans to blow up the roster, the Lakers are not currently considering trading either superstar, according to team and league sources. They want to bolster their supporting cast and continue building around Davis and James.”
With that said, Buha reports that the Lakers are expected to be active in the trade market and that rivals in the West will likely attempt to shoot their shot at making a move for the King or The Brow.
“The Lakers have three first-round picks they can trade individually: 2029, 2030, or 2031… The Lakers will likely offer a pick swap or second(s) in place of one of their picks in negotiations,” the insider noted. “Rival teams will surely ask for Knecht and Christie, but again, those are two players the Lakers will prioritize keeping. Teams will also likely sniff around on James and Davis, seeing if they can try to pry them away from Los Angeles with an enticing offer of picks and young talent.”
James just returned to the Lakers following an eight-day layoff to address his sore foot.
The move was primarily the idea of head coach JJ Redick who had to do some convincing to get the 22-year NBA vet to take some time away.
“If it was up to just me, I probably would’ve played,” LeBron said. “It would’ve been hard to keep me away from it. I have a team and I got to listen to them as well. They look out for my best interest.”
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