Lakers’ win streak ends against the Kings, rumors of trade for Zach Lavine swirl
Lakers’ win streak ends against the Kings, rumors of trade for Zach Lavine swirl
With the Lakers' winning streak ending and the Kings' win streak reaching four games, rumors of adding a superstar to the Lakers are spreading like wildfire.
The Lakers, who had just dominated the Memphis Grizzlies in a 134-107 rout, were feeling pretty good as they came into the game against the Sacramento Kings. The Lakers put on a remarkable performance against Memphis by utilizing a high-tempo strategy, executing precise ball movement, achieving an outstanding accomplishment with their three-point shooting (which equaled a franchise record), and effectively disrupting the opposing team's offense through their proactive defensive tactics. They set a new record for the highest number of points scored in a single game this season. A crucial point to note is that James and Davis were granted the much-needed rest they deserved in the fourth quarter, something that hasn't happened at any point this season.
The Lakers had not yet experienced this type of feel-good win this season, but it was a commanding blowout that reminded the basketball world of their prodigious ceiling.
However, it was clear once again that the Lakers, known for their potential, failed to overcome their consistent shortcomings during last night's game against Sacramento. With a sluggish start, their performance at the beginning of the game was lackluster, leaving much to be desired. In the first three seconds of the game, Kings All-Star De'Aaron Fox scored an and-1, and as a result, the Lakers found themselves trailing by double-digits early, with a deficit as large as 20 points in the first quarter. The team had a high number of turnovers, committing a total of 23 turnovers during the game. Out of these turnovers, the Kings managed to steal the ball 20 times, resulting in 30 points for Sacramento. They were outshot at the 3-point line, with the opposing team making 16 shots compared to their 11.
Davis, who had been dealing with a hip injury for more than a week, ended the game with a season-low of nine points, shooting 3-for-9 against Sacramento. After scoring four points early in the first quarter, he didn’t score again until the fourth. In contrast, Domantas Sabonis of the Kings was a force to be reckoned with, racking up 29 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.
The Lakers' success is often contingent on how superior their opponent is, which is a worrisome trend. In their first 12 games, their record against teams currently above .500 is 1-6, while they have a perfect 5-0 record against teams currently below .500. That's a troubling sign for a team with hopes of winning a championship.
James had a historic night, becoming the second oldest player in NBA history to achieve a triple-double, but the Lakers couldn't make the most of it. With 28 points on an impressive 9-for-15 shooting, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, he finished the game in style. In addition to surpassing Jason Kidd for the No. 5 spot on the all-time triple-doubles list with 108, James also moved past Jason Terry to secure the No. 8 position on the all-time three-pointers made list, having made an impressive 2,283 shots from beyond the arc.
The Lakers have been facing a significant problem in four out of the five seasons since James and Anthony Davis joined forces, which is the excessive dependence on James. However, the current situation is more extreme than ever before, although it is still early in the season. Since his left foot injury last February, James hadn't displayed this kind of burst until now. His shooting performance has reached new heights this season, with a career-high 56.7 percent from the field and a remarkable career-best 84.7 percent within three feet of the rim.
In terms of James, the only legitimate concern moving forward is the burden of minutes he carries. The intention to conserve his energy by implementing a minutes restriction quickly dissipated after just one game. Ever since that moment, James has managed to maintain a consistent playing time of no less than 32 minutes in every game, except for the occasion when he only played for 27 minutes during a significant 34-point loss to the Rockets. The much-needed break on Sunday might set him up to make a substantial impact during the team's upcoming stretch of easier games.
The Zach Lavine Update
LaVine has caught the attention of the Lakers, who are genuinely interested in acquiring him, provided that the price is reasonable. Nevertheless, the potential availability of LaVine also raises the question of whether the Chicago organization is considering a fire sale, signaling a shift away from its long-standing mediocrity. Should any other Bulls players become available, it has been reported by multiple team sources that the Lakers would be interested in pursuing DeMar DeRozan and/or former Laker Alex Caruso.
For several years, the Lakers have shown a keen interest in DeRozan and, to a lesser degree, LaVine, demonstrating their curiosity about both players. The organization is currently faced with a delicate situation as they navigate Caruso's departure in the summer of 2021.
When considering a trade involving LaVine, the Lakers' primary worry is centered around his massive contract. Not only does it include a salary of $40.1 million for the 2023-24 season, but it also encompasses a total of $138 million to be paid over the next three years. This amount incorporates a player option of $49 million in 2026-27, a choice that LaVine appears strongly inclined to exercise. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that LaVine's contract includes a trade kicker of 15 percent, which would most likely need to be relinquished for a trade to the Lakers to be financially feasible. On the flip side, DeRozan is currently under an expiring contract worth $28.6 million, whereas Caruso's contract is significantly lower at $9.6 million for this season and $9.9 million in 2024-25, with only $3 million of it being guaranteed.
Additionally, there remains an unanswered question regarding the extent to which LaVine would effectively address the Lakers' requirements, specifically in terms of perimeter defense and proficiency in 3-point shooting.
With an average of 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 0.8 steals in 35.2 minutes per game, LaVine is proving to be a valuable asset to his team this season. With his ability to score consistently, he would provide the Lakers with a dependable third option for scoring and, on certain nights, even a second option. Moreover, his addition to the team would provide a much-needed infusion of perimeter athleticism and 3-point shooting, both of which are essential for their success. It is worth mentioning that although he is shooting at a 33 percent clip from 3 this season, his career average is a commendable 38.2 percent. Although he has made progress as a defender, LaVine's defensive skills still leave much to be desired, making him a potential liability and aggravating the ongoing backcourt problems in LA.
It is anticipated that the primary structure of a LaVine deal would be centered around Russell, who, during the offseason, waived his implied no-trade clause. To meet the requirements for this trade, it is essential to have either Hachimura or Vincent as an additional player with a matching salary, another player from the team, and the team's first-round pick in either 2029 or 2030. If Caruso becomes available, the Lakers would prefer to include him in the theoretical trade, thus expanding the scenario. The Lakers are limited in trading first-round picks, but they can trade four second-round picks.
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