NBA Rumors: Lakers Peg Date To Resume Trade Search

October 20, 2022

The Los Angeles Lakers did not get off to a great start this season, losing their opener soundly on Tuesday night, 123-109 to the Golden State Warriors. But they're not ready to break the "trade in case of emergency" glass just yet. NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski says they'll be waiting until after Thanksgiving to make their move:

"Here's what you can expect Rob Pelinka and the Lakers to do," says Woj: "Wait 20 games into the season, post-Thanksgiving, and see what teams might start to pivot off of bad starts or injuries, and maybe start to make guys available in the trade market."

And it's all because of the 19-year-old who, as Woj refers to him, might be "the greatest draft prospect in the history of the game": Victor Wembanyama.

"I think you are going to see more sellers this year. That softens the market and you perhaps don't have to give up as much in deals. So for the Lakers, their assets are clear: the 2027 and 2029 first-round picks, and of course, Russell Westbrook’s expiring contract.

"Expect the Lakers to get to that 20-game point where teams kind of reach an inflection point about how they want to proceed and then see what might really be available to improve this Lakers team.” 

Interestingly, the Lakers might not have a full handle on what they really have by that Thanksgiving mark, as that's about the time they'll have just started getting Dennis Schröder and Thomas Bryant back in the lineup—both are out after identical thumb surgeries. 

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports





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