Despite the Los Angeles Lakers' trade rumors during this period, the Los Angeles Lakers management still stood firm and responded to the changes. After LeBron James repeatedly hinted at the forced palace trade, the Lakers management seemed to be very disgusted by LeBron James's behavior.
Therefore, there have been reports that the Lakers intend to trade away LeBron James. Subsequently, LeBron James also threatened the Los Angeles Lakers through tweets and the Knicks towel incident.
After a three-game winning streak, the Lakers don't seem very interested in a trade. According to insider Adrian Vonarowski, the Lakers don't plan to trade D'Angelo Russell for reinforcements.
"The Lakers have calculated the changes that have occurred in recent weeks, with D'Angelo Russell back as their point guard. He played the best basketball of his career, and maybe three weeks to a month ago, he was very free. I think the Lakers think there might be some opportunities for him to be promoted. Now the situation is different. ”
This news is certainly good news for D'Angelo Russell, who has been subjected to criticism so far this season. It wasn't until recently that he had picked up a bit of form and gained more trust. At one point, when the Lakers fell out of the top 10 in the West, he became the culprit of the team's loss.
He went from starting to substitute to playing brilliantly and returning to the starting position; D'Angelo Russell looks like he's trying to keep himself here.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been in good form and form this season, consistent as ever, and both have been healthy for most of the game. So, the Lakers are bullied with a chance to compete for a championship. Therefore, they need D'Angelo Russell to be the third star to assist Zhan Mei.
If D'Angelo Russell can be consistent throughout the season, he won't be a member of the Lakers' trade table. The Los Angeles Lakers are currently ranked 9th in the West, which is not ideal for them to compete for a playoff spot, and they need to finish in the top six in the West.
However, with the current strength and level of the Lakers, they are not expected to enter the top 6 in the West. 7th place in the West is the limit for the Lakers. If the Lakers are eliminated in the playoffs this season, or in the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers will struggle in the 2024 offseason, and they will have to liquidate and trade to reinforce.
LeBron James has a $51 million player option at that time, and if the Lakers can't give LeBron James more support, it can't rule out him joining teams such as the Knicks or the 76ers.