Following the trade deadline this past season, the Los Angeles Lakers made significant changes to their roster. These changes implemented the playoff success the Lakers had, leading to a Western Conference Finals appearance against the Denver Nuggets. Leading up to the trade deadline, there will be noise and rumors regarding certain players who could be traded to the Lakers, but the organization is reportedly hesitant to make moves.
NBA Rumors: Lakers Hesitant to Make Moves at Trade Deadline
Lakers Trades following the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline
The Lakers made four trades at the NBA trade deadline in 2o23.
- Lakers trade for Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards:
- Full Details: Lakers receive Rui Hachimura. Wizards receive Kendrick Nunn, Chicago Bulls’ 2023 second-round pick, Lakers 2029 second-round pick, and 2028 second-round pick.
- Lakers trade Thomas Bryant to the Denver Nuggets:
- Full Details: Lakers receive Nuggets’ 2025, 2026, and 2029 second-round picks. Nuggets receive Thomas Bryant.
- Lakers trade for Mo Bamba from the Orlando Magic:
- Full Details: Lakers receive Mo Bamba. Magic receive Patrick Beverly and future second-round pick.
- Lakers trade Russell Westbrook:
- Full Details: Lakers receive D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. Jazz receive: Russell Westbrook, Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones. Timberwolves receive Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 2024 second-round pick (via Lakers), and 2025 and 2026 second-round picks (via Jazz).
Ultimately, these trades resulted in obtaining key pieces and new contracts for the 2023-24 season. Following the trade deadline, key pieces like Hachimura, Russell, and Vanderbilt made a staple into the roster as important pieces to the run they had in the 2023 playoffs.
Hesitancy Leading Up to the Trade Deadline
With the 2023-24 regular season well underway and leading up to the trade deadline, the Lakers have had many rumors of players being traded. With ups and downs to start the season, there’s been inconsistency among the team’s capabilities and performances. However, the Lakers have been ramping up as they’ve gotten key pieces back in their lineup, including Vanderbilt and Hachimura. Gabe Vincent has been out for quite some time, but expect him to be back in the lineup next year. With a 14-9 record through these games and making a statement in the In-Season Tournament, the Lakers seem reluctant and more hesitant to make any moves.
Don't expect the #Lakers to make a trade anytime soon:https://t.co/zbhbiXIcIK pic.twitter.com/cev5jTAnEM
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) December 4, 2023
With injuries and players being in and out of the lineup, this has prevented the Lakers from evaluating their roster and experimenting with different lineups. If the right deal comes the Lakers’ way, the purple and gold should explore the opportunities. But, with inconsistent lineups, expect the Lakers to take a hesitant approach leading up to the trade deadline. Expect them to keep the core roster that led them to the Western Conference Finals last year. And, ultimately, expect them to keep the role players they added this offseason (Christian Wood, Cam Reddish, Vincent). The Lakers’ full potential shouldn’t be evaluated until everyone is healthy and in the lineup.
