The Lakers had one of the worst offseasons out of all the teams. Why is that? The front office failed to bring in superstars who were available in the market even after LeBron James decided to take a pay cut. Still, all hope wasn’t lost. Weeks later, during the NBA Draft, the Lakers drafted a first-rounder along with Bronny James. But surely they made other significant moves, right? Well, sadly, they did not! The LA side went on to re-sign Max Christie instead about two months later. So, where exactly is Jeanie Buss’ franchise headed? Is winning the Championship not on their to-do lists?
It seems the team is looking to ‘develop’ its talent while possibly holding down on upgrading the roster. Christie signed a four-year $32 million contract about two weeks ago. This not only fills his pockets but also pulls the Lakers out of the second apron hole. However, the front office could’ve introduced significant talent in the same amount. Nevertheless, the upcoming stars in the Lakers roster would include Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, and, of course, Max Christie, who they are looking to get something out of. But then again, the process will take some time, leaving the Lakers with the option to make trades in the middle of the season.
Borna Nazari, a hoops reporter, weighed in on the team’s current path. “You’re gonna pick a path. You need to go all the way on that path right, and it doesn’t seem that the Lakers, Pelinka, their organizational brass is going all in on one side or the other. In their defense, you need to understand that LBJ is going to be 40 years old and he doesn’t wanna fully commit, but the argument is … That is why you need to fully commit.”
“You have the guy who’s maybe the greatest basketball player to ever touch on earth, and you’re not going all in on that, so you know, I would say this, I wouldn’t wanna bucket Max Christie and Austin Reaves in that same category together,” Borna Nazari concluded on Lakers Nation.
A bad offseason might be the one to blame, as the rest of the assets can’t seem to recover from their injuries. Christian Wood, the 6-foot-8 forward underwent surgery and will be re-evaluated in eight weeks! At this point, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura remain LA’s only hope going into the next season. The Lakers, however, can make in-season trades, but they’ll have to be smart with their decisions considering King James’ remaining tenure with the franchise.
LeBron and AD recently showcased it all on the floor during the playoffs. But the early first-round exit called for desperate help. It was clear that the Lakers needed shooters and reliable scorers to accompany James and AD. Interestingly, the duo is still waiting on the same. As they head over to another season, what boosts LA’s confidence after a rough offseason?
LeBron James and Co. might just have enough backup
The Lakers look extremely confident in their new head coach, JJ Redick. And why not? After letting go of the entire coaching staff following the playoffs, Redick seems to be their new and untested mastermind. Dalton Knecht, even though a rookie, has shown great potential and can help replace Reaves coming off the bench. He’s a talented shooter and has unlimited potential, as seen in the Summer League. Other than that, as the franchise hopes to develop its younger talent, a lot would depend on how JJ approaches the young guns.
While they haven’t made any significant moves this offseason, they sure are impactful for the long term. LeBron James, on the other hand, will be playing alongside his son. This historic duo will fill the seats of Crypto Arena, bringing in more revenue in the franchise’s pockets. Even after a dry offseason, the Lakers are hopeful of a better season, as they should be. It will be interesting to see whether Rob Pelinka decides to sacrifice his draft picks and current vision to welcome a superstar in the middle of the season.
News
When Michael Jordan ended an endorsement deal for this reason
MJ refused to extort money from a brand he no longer used. Michael Jordan’s stance on endorsing products was admirable from the start. Having attained unprecedented fame after his Air Jordan brand became a cultural hit, Mike understood the responsibility…
Terrence Ross is speaking the fact: “I don’t understand how one can put Michael Jordan ahead of LeBron James”
The opinion battle about the NBA’s GOAT continues with “experts” giving their unquestionable opinions. The dialectical battle for the GOAT of the NBA continues almost always with LeBron James and Michael Jordan as protagonists. It’s rare to see current players…
Kevin Harvick Discloses Being Shocked By Michael Jordan’s Advice That Changed His Mind
Michael Jordan often received flak for not attending races of his team, 23XI Racing. Although not every team owner is present at the racetrack on every race day, somehow the bar is set high for Jordan. And while a few…
LeBron James’ Wife Savannah James Makes Candid Admission
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ wife was not a fan of his free agency decision LeBron James stunned the basketball world in 2014 when he announced he was leaving the Miami Heat, where he won two championships, to return…
Is LeBron James Nearing the End of His NBA Career? King’s Farewell Will Make Thousands of Fans Regret
LeBron James, now in his 22nd NBA season, remains on a mission to achieve one last triumph with the Los Angeles Lakers. As he approaches his 40th birthday on December 30th, James shows no signs of slowing down. His consistent…
Bronny’s Priceless Reaction Steals the Spotlight as LeBron Makes History
LeBron James had an unforgettable moment when he broke the NBA record for the most career points scored by a single player. His son captured the historic 14-foot fadeaway jumper that he drilled against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday….
End of content
No more pages to load