Most, if not all, Los Angeles Lakers fans are frustrated about how this offseason has gone so far. The team has thus far made only two moves — signing Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, its two draft picks last month.
They went after a few notable free agents, including Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan and Gary Trent Jr. But all of them elected to sign with other teams.
There have been some trade rumors involving the Lakers, most notably rumors concerning Jerami Grant, a two-way forward currently with the Portland Trail Blazers. The price for him will reportedly be steep, and the Blazers reportedly don’t want guard D’Angelo Russell in a potential deal.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the franchise is “preaching patience” when it comes to looking for the right trade. At the same time, it believes improved health and internal improvement will make the team better.
Via The Athletic:
“As things stand, the Lakers are preaching patience that the right trade will eventually materialize while betting that healthier versions of Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, the addition of Knecht and the promotion of [Max] Christie into the rotation will shore up the group’s perimeter defense, athleticism and shooting,” wrote Buha.
On one hand, it is true that another year of roster continuity could help the Lakers do better.
“With another season of [LeBron] James, [Anthony] Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Vanderbilt and Christie, the Lakers’ core will have been together for parts of three seasons once 2024-25 begins,” Buha continued. “The continuity that eluded the Lakers last season — in part because of injuries and rotational decisions — appears to finally be on track for next season.”
At the same time, simply doing better and, say, reaching the Western Conference Finals again wouldn’t be enough.
This is a franchise that has won 17 NBA championships and measures success in that manner. With LeBron James’ career winding down, the Lakers are very much on the clock as far as trying to return to championship contention.