As the NBA trade deadline looms just over a week away, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at the center of trade speculation and intrigue. However, there’s a growing sentiment that sitting out this trade window might be a prudent move for the team’s future.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor suggested that the Lakers should exercise patience and retain their assets for now. He pointed out that by preserving their tradable picks and assets, including three first-round picks and three pick swaps, the Lakers could position themselves as formidable contenders in future trade negotiations. Among the intriguing possibilities, O’Connor noted that Trae Young, the dynamic 25-year-old All-Star point guard for the Atlanta Hawks, would likely welcome a trade to the Lakers.
Young has been putting up impressive numbers for the struggling Hawks, averaging 27.0 points, 10.9 assists, and a career-high 1.4 steals per game. His sharpshooting from beyond the arc, with a 36.8% three-point shooting percentage, has also caught attention.
Adding to the allure of a potential trade, Young shares representation by Klutch Sports Group with Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, forging connections within the organization. The Lakers have reportedly had their eyes on Young for some time, making him a long-standing target.
However, there’s a significant obstacle in the Lakers’ pursuit of Young. The talented guard has expressed a strong desire to bring a championship to Atlanta, and the Hawks are committed to building their future around him. The organization, which acquired Young as the third overall pick in the 2018 draft in exchange for Luka Doncic, is determined to create a winning team with Young at the helm.
While the Lakers have shown interest in other Hawks players like Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanović, recent developments suggest that these players might remain in Atlanta. Hawks head coach Quin Snyder has advocated for keeping Murray, and Bogdanović’s strong performance has made him an attractive asset.
One potential stumbling block in a trade involving Murray was Atlanta’s reluctance to take on D’Angelo Russell, who holds an $18.5 million player option in the second year of his two-year, $36 million contract. Russell’s defensive shortcomings also make him an imperfect fit alongside Young.
In the midst of these trade speculations, Russell faced taunts from fans with chants of “we don’t want you” during a Lakers game, further complicating matters.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers face a complex landscape of negotiations and considerations, with the possibility of acquiring Trae Young remaining enticing but challenging given the Hawks’ commitment to their young star and evolving trade dynamics.
