re: 2022-23 Lakers Thread

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frick the Lakers

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Westbrook went 0-5 shooting in overtime.

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On Thursday, Dec. 15, nearly 90 percent of the NBA’s players become trade-eligible and the marketplace will open up in full force ahead of the G League Showcase in Las Vegas from Dec. 19-22. The Showcase will give team executives an opportunity to meet face-to-face, connect on year-round conversations and potential trade concepts and scout the G League’s elite Ignite roster as well as other teams.

So far, team executives across the NBA say there have been increased discussions and several check-ins regarding rival personnel. The league’s parity — most teams vying for postseason and Play-In Tournament berths — means the true buyers and sellers will take time to reveal themselves before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

Following a 2-10 start, the Los Angeles Lakers, now 11-15 and three games out of sixth place, have turned their season around and are seen as a key team in the trade market this season. The Lakers are prioritizing shooting in their conversations with teams, and have discussed packages including salaries and a protected first-round pick for Detroit’s Bojan Bogdanovic, league sources, who were granted anonymity so that they could speak freely, tell The Athletic. They’ve also discussed concepts involving New York’s Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier, sources said. With Anthony Davis having an MVP-caliber season and LeBron James turning in another strong campaign, it will be fascinating to monitor how these Lakers approach Feb. 9.

Bogdanovic, 33, is in the midst of a tremendous season for the Pistons, averaging 21 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 43.7 percent from 3-point range — including a 38-point outing in a loss to the Lakers on Sunday night. While Bogdanovic is a target for the Lakers — they are among roughly a dozen teams to inquire about him, offering first- or second-rounders — Detroit is showing no urgency about moving him. In fact, the Pistons have expressed to rival teams a significant reluctance about moving Bogdanovic, sources said.

As The Athletic’s James Edwards III wrote, Bogdanovic has become a leader for this young Pistons group, a productive catalyst on and off the floor, showing exactly why general manager Troy Weaver does not want to move him.

For the Lakers, Russell Westbrook has found his stride as a sixth man, posting a staggering difference of averaging 15 points, eight assists and 5.4 rebounds on 42 percent field-goal shooting and 32 percent from 3-point range in 22 games off the bench compared to 10.3 points, 4.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds on 28.9 percent field-goal shooting and 8.3 percent from 3-point range in three games as a starter.

Moving Westbrook to the sixth-man role has worked brilliantly for first-time head coach Darvin Ham. In addition, the Lakers have made clear they’re prioritizing championship-altering players for their trade-eligible two first-round picks (2027, 2029). It remains to be seen who could become available as the season goes on.

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