With greater than 1 / 4 of the NBA season within the books, the Los Angeles Lakers are the No. 1 seed. 10 within the Western Conference, and it is unlikely they’re going to climb a lot increased than that this season and not using a massive transfer on the commerce deadline to steadiness their roster round LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Magic Johnson, who received 5 championships with the Lakers as a star level guard, is aware of a factor or two about facilitating trades in Los Angeles, having served because the Lakers’ president of basketball operations from 2017 to 2019. During that point, Johnson had alternatives to improve the Lakers roster that by no means got here to fruition.
“They made the commerce: Kuzma for DeMar,” Johnson mentioned throughout his look on FS1’s “Speak.”
“And then we had been going to get Buddy Hield,” Johsnon continued. “That’s all we needed to do.”
Kuzma was finally traded to the Lakers in 2021 as a part of the bundle that introduced Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles. The Lakers additionally despatched Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and a first-round decide to Washington.
Johnson abruptly resigned from his place with the Lakers in 2019, following a 37-45 season.
Magic Johnson nonetheless upset that Lakers did not commerce for DeMar DeRozan | Speak
One of the names Johnson likes for the Lakers forward of this season’s commerce deadline is Jimmy Butler.
“I like Jimmy,” Johnson mentioned. “It’s imply and bodily.”
But he is skeptical the Lakers will quit the assets wanted to get Butler.
“You virtually need to say, do you wish to win now or do you wish to save all of your draft capital for later? And I say, with LeBron, you need to discipline one of the best workforce.”
The NBA commerce deadline is February 6.
(Want nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter every day.)
DeMar DeRozan
Friend Hield
National Basketball Association
Get extra from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get data on video games, information and extra
