The Los Angeles Lakers will have some very tricky decisions to sift through as the NBA trade deadline approaches. Anthony Davis remains out and with LeBron James out indefinitely, the Lakers need to find the best course of action to figure out how this team can tread water during the absences of their two best players.
They've already made one key roster decision:
Sources say the Lakers are not re-signing center Damian Jones for the rest of the season after his second 10-day contract expired. Jones has been a fill-in starter and played well, but hard cap, roster limitations win out in the end.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) March 21, 2021
Damian Jones will not be getting signed to the end of the year by the Lakers. The center was scooped up by L.A. after the Davis injury and when Marc Gasol ended up on the health and safety protocols list.
In eight games played with the Lakers, including six starts, Jones averaged 5.4 points to go along with 3.3 rebounds while averaging 14.0 minutes a night.
The move comes as the Lakers add another injury to the list with LeBron, but at the same time will be getting Gasol back soon as he's been cleared to rejoin the team.
Jones exceeded expectations after signing an initial 10-day contract with the Lakers a few weeks back. He was in the good graces of the fan base, who appreciated his effort and spark that he provided.
With the spot freed up, signs do point toward the direction of the Lakers being active with the trade deadline and then the buyout market. With LeBron and Davis both out simultaneously, the Lakers will have to balance not overreacting but also needing to make moves so that things in the standings don't turn south.
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