NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
When will the Los Angeles Lakers learn? Here we are again with rumors regarding the team looking to make a big splash during free agency. The only issue is, they continue to strike out. And yet, they keep throwing their hat in the ring.
Early on, it was Trae Young or Dejounte Murray. Then it was a possibility of adding Donovan Mitchell. Then LeBron was willing to take less for the team to get Klay Thompson. Now they have their sights on DeMar DeRozan. Hell, trade packages are being presented for Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But for any of these to happen, the Lakers will need to make a trade; as it stands, they have no one but young players to move. Sounds familiar, right? They have disassembled their roster of youth before. The deuce sign was given to Julius Randle, Lonzo Ball, Jordan Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell, Josh Hart, Larry Nance Jr, Ivica Zubac, Kyle Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram. Are they willing to go down this road again?
We can look back and say they have a championship to show for it. But LeBron is 40 years old and there is no guarantee that Davis is willing to put another franchise on his back as he tried with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Los Angeles Lakers have youth on their roster that at one point they viewed as the future building blocks with Austin Reaves, Max Christie, and Rui Hachimura. But those are the names being tied to the incoming players. Trading away the youth in order to chase big names with miles under the hood is not good for the future of the franchise. This is not the old days when players were looking for any excuse to come to L.A.
Will The Los Angles Lakers Sign DeMar DeRozan
Players now have teams in smaller markets on their radar such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, and other up-and-coming teams. The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76es are hot destinations as well. But the Lakers, they’re still begging for help.
James has maybe 2 seasons left in him and then what? Giving up your youth for a player like DeRozan does not mean you’re instantly better than the Denver Nuggets or the Dallas Mavericks. Since the arrival of James, the Lakers have been a mess. Yes, you can point to that championship but that was a fluke.
They haven’t won since then. A real contender is there every year. The Lakers are not that team. Trading the youth for players with experience sounds and looks good on paper but there is an 82-game schedule they must make it through before the playoffs start.
At some point, Jeanie Buss must start to build a foundation that can keep the Lakers rolling after LeBron hangs up his jersey for good. And no, Bronny James is not the player to pass the mantle to.
The Los Angeles Lakers are standing pat. Not out of choice, but due to high-profile players making them. No one has a burning desire to play with LeBron as they did when he was with the Miami Heat or his 2nd stint with the Cavs. There is parity in the league like never before and the great Lakers organization is feeling that pain more than anyone.
This is not the first time it has happened. Kobe Bryant went through this as well but he was good enough to still make it to 3 NBA Finals and walk away with 2 more championships. This is what LeBron has failed to do. How many more superstars and super teams does the supposedly GOAT need to solidify himself?
Players are not looking to join forces, they are looking to not only beat him but embarrass the Lakers at the same time. This is one of the staple organizations in the NBA. The Boston Celtics just won a championship. Kyrie Irving made it to the Finals. Paul George is now a 76er. Chris Paul now plays for Gregg Popovich and the Knicks became the darlings of the NBA during the playoffs. And here the Lakers are begging for more talent.
Just last season weren’t the Los Angeles Lakers crowned the winners of the trade deadline? Wasn’t it just during last offseason when they were crowned the winners due to their moves? This is still the same team, right? Their newsworthy moments this offseason was giving the No. 55 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft a guaranteed rookie contract, and the hiring of James’ podcast partner JJ Redick his first NBA coaching job with no damn experirence. Those were their biggest offseason moves. Yikes!!!
Players get older and organizations must prepare themselves for that. LeBron deserves those big contracts. But he doesn’t deserve them at the expense of hurting the legacy of the Los Angeles Lakers. They let youth and future walk out the door once for him, and they’re right back in the same situation and so far, the same results. When will the Los Angeles Lakers learn?
