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The Los Angeles Lakers suffered another disappointing defeat on Tuesday, this time at the hands of the Phoenix Suns, 108-90. LA's season continues to be problematic as we approach the new year and at this point, trade rumors are becoming louder and louder.
NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic recently went on the Pat McAfee Show to discuss the Lakers' troubles. One of the subjects Shams addressed pertained to whispers linking LeBron James to a potential move away from Hollywood. Charania was quick to shoot down these sensational rumors, saying that he even spoke directly to Rich Paul, LeBron's agent, about the issue.
Shams then turned his attention to what the Lakers actually have to do right now. According to the renowned NBA guru, LA desperately needs to add some firepower, and that it might come in the form of two superstars that have both been rumored to be on the trade block (h/t Pat McAfee on Twitter):
“They made that trade for Russell Westbrook in the summer and it hasn't just paid dividends,” Shams said. “This team doesn’t look like it has the young legs that they need to have. That’s why I’ve heard that they have been active in the trade market. When you look at a guy like Ben Simmons, they’d love to get their hands on a guy like him. Jerami Grant, those are the types of guys that they need on this team. Young, 6'9″, 6'10”, athletic wings, can handle the ball, can score, can pass. They need guys like that. They don't have enough of them that have the youth, in their prime type of experience.”
"I heard directly from Rich Paul that LeBron James isn't leaving the Lakers.. this team just doesn't look it has the young legs that they need to have & they have been very active in the trade market" ~@ShamsCharania#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/BZEAMM6Zkb
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 22, 2021
This isn't the first time Ben Simmons or Jerami Grant have been linked to the Lakers. Then again, with how troublesome their campaign has been thus far, it isn't surprising that the Lakers are rumored to have their eye on every other available star in the league. What Shams is pointing out here, however, is that both Simmons and Grant could prove to be an excellent fit for LA's lineup, particularly playing alongside LeBron.
We are all well aware of the Simmons saga with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers want-away star has yet to make his debut this season as he continues to engage in a long-drawn-out standoff. It's no secret that both Simmons' camp and the Sixers are still looking to trade the former Rookie of the Year, and at this point, the Lakers could emerge as a suitable trade partner.
With Ben Simmons in the mix, the Lakers get an elite playmaker in their lineup to complement LeBron. Simmons' biggest asset, however, is his defense. The 25-year-old was one of the top candidates for last season's Defensive Player of the Year and along with James and Anthony Davis, LA will have one of, if not the best defensive lineups in the entire league.
Similarly, Jerami Grant, a superstar in his own right, could also be on his way out of the Detroit Pistons. Along with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers are one of the teams that have seriously been linked to a potential swoop of the 27-year-old forward. Grant isn't exactly young, but he's definitely in the prime of his career right now. The 6-foot-8 forward recently underwent surgery on his thumb and is set to miss extended time, but prior to his injury, Grant has been putting up averages of 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks, while also connecting on 1.8 triples per game.
Many consider Grant to be one of the biggest snubs of last year's All-Star squad, which speaks volumes of how talented this man is. He'll likely see a drop in his scoring if he comes to the Lakers, but the elite-level defense he brings to the table could prove to be the x-factor for the Lakers and their title hopes this season.
The big question now for the Lakers is what they intend to give up in order to bring in a new superstar to Hollywood. There have been rumors about Russell Westbrook being placed on the trade block with LA possibly willing to pull the plug on the Russ experiment this early. Westbrook, however, is set to earn $91.2 million through next season, and to say that it would be a daunting task to try and move this gargantuan contract would be an understatement.
Another player being linked to a move away from LA is Talen Horton-Tucker. Many consider the 21-year-old to be the Lakers' most valuable trade asset. But the fact that THT signed an extension last summer could indicate LA's unwillingness to part ways with him. Then again, so much has happened since the offseason and at this point, you just never know.
What is clear is that the Lakers have to do something. We've already seen enough from them to determine that something just isn't right. It's still possible that LeBron and Co. are able to gloriously turn their season around with this lineup, but the odds of that happening are getting slimmer after each loss. The trade deadline is approaching and right now, it just feels like the Lakers are going to be active in the market in the coming months.
