Lakers News: Los Angeles Has Explored Trading 7 Role Players

The Lakers need to make further moves to catch up with the Western Conference’s bigger, younger elite teams. The Dallas Mavericks, revamped Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets (even though Denver has now hemorrhaged two of its top six players from its 2023 championship team in successive offseasons) are all clearly better.

   

George now headed to the Philadelphia 76ers and an exorbitant $70 million owed to an aging James Harden over the next two seasons, have probably taken a step back and are below the Lakers in the conference’s hierarchy. The New Orleans Pelicans have improved this offseason and have pathways to getting even better, while the Memphis Grizzlies are expecting to be healthy.

Behind the Lakers and Clippers, clubs like the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors will remain at least competitive as frisky play-in contenders.