With Nothing Working, Lakers Continue Search for Trades

So much for winning time. Right now, the Lakers stink.

New coach in Darvin Ham … Russell Westbrook starting, Westbrook coming off the bench … Anthony Davis being healthy and productive … none of it seems to matter. 

So it only makes sense for Lakers GM Rob Pelinka to continue to look at trades and potentially available players from opposing teams. And according to multiple sources, that is what Pelinka has continued to do.

But it’s fairly clear that if Pelinka wants to improve the team in the here and now, he will have to give up at least one first-round pick, and more likely, two. 

Recently, the Lakers have targeted Spurs small forward Doug McDermott and guard/forward Josh Richardson, according to the dialed-in LJ Ellis of Spurs Talk. That would be a deal that also involved Westbrook. 

“However, talks haven’t gained traction because the Lakers are only willing to relinquish a pair of second-round picks in return for both players,” Ellis wrote.

In addition, sources have told Hoops Wire the Lakers are exploring trades of players other than Westbrook, again, if it means improving the roster now. Problem is, aside from Davis and LeBron James, there aren’t many Lakers that other teams would want.

Would the Lakers actually consider trading Davis? As we relayed here, the answer may be yes. It all depends on the actual mission for the season. If it is to be a relevant playoff contender again, then restructuring the roster is likely what it would take. It would take a splash.

A Westbrook deal isn’t likely to create that. A Davis deal would. Or the Lakers could do nothing and hope things turn around on their own. That plan, however, looks like it won’t lead to much more than continued disappointment. And that’s not exactly the Laker Way.