Report: Lakers Showing ‘Little Sign Of Aggression’ In Trade Talks

According to NBA insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers are showing “little sign of aggression” in trade talks. 

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are growing concerned about the Lakers’ ability to make significant roster upgrades with their two tradeable first-rounders.

“The Lakers’ recent discussions with teams show little sign of aggression, sources say, and those actions speak to their concern level about their stars at the moment,” Bontemps and Windhorst reported. “The Lakers have shown a reticence to put their future first-round picks into trades in recent seasons, and there’s no indication that position has shifted.”

Los Angeles already made one trade this season, sending D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. 

The Lakers are 24-18 on the season under first-year head coach JJ Redick. They are in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. 

Davis has made it clear that he wants the Lakers to trade for a center because he likes playing at power forward. 

“I think we need another big,” Davis said told Charania. “I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been the 4, having a big out there.”

The Lakers won the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat with Davis at the 4. 

“We know it worked when we won a championship with JaVale [McGee] and Dwight [Howard] at the 5 and I’m at the 4,” Davis said. “We feel like we are right there, you know, as far as the team and everything like that.”

After the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics in LA, Davis doubled down on his comments about wanting to play the 4. 

“I only started playing the five in 2021,” Davis said. “I’d have stretches, but I was primarily a four. So my whole career I’ve been playing the four. And we’ve seen how I play. I just feel a little bit more effective (at the four). I mean, (playing the five) has its advantages and disadvantages. But the front office knows that. I’ve told them that every year I’ve been here. So it’s nothing new. But I just feel like, personally, I’m a better player at the four.”

If the Lakers don’t trade for a big man, Davis and LeBron will likely be upset.