Despite the 107-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, fans of the Los Angeles Lakers are not optimistic. So much so, that Bill Plaschke, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, penned a column asking LeBron James and Anthony Davis to ask out of the team, as their mediocre roster is destined for another play-in appearance. He noted that this would be in their best interest, and help the team build for the future.
"Dear LeBron, … ask out. Dear A.D., ... follow him. This is my Christmas wish for a Lakers franchise that has lost the town to the Dodgers, lost the season because of a lousy roster, and just lost by 41 points to Pat Riley."
"After a quarter of the season, the Lakers are no better than a bottom seed in the Western Conference, surely headed for a third consecutive appearance in the play-in tournament, seemingly destined for a second consecutive first-round knockout."
"It’s over. Already. There is no hope. Again. With no first-round draft pick and suffocating salaries, they might not be any better next year. Really."
Plaschke added that despite the win over the Trail Blazers, there is no reason for optimism in the city. He added that the two players deserve better, and the best way that they can help the team is by waiving their no-trade clauses and go to contending teams for another chance at an NBA championship.
"With the Lakers’ slide rolling into a Dec. 15 landmark — that’s the date when teams can first trade players such as James who signed new contracts last summer — the timing is right for the most obvious truth. The best way the two leading Lakers can help this team is to willingly leave it."
"If James relents on his no-trade clause, the Lakers can send him to a contender for one last hurrah."
"If Davis gives his approval — the Lakers don’t need it and could trade him today since he signed his contract in 2023, but they would want it because that’s how they treat superstars — the Lakers could send him somewhere that can give him a chance at another ring before his body breaks down for the last time."
Clearly, the frustration has started to set in among Lakers fans, after their terrible three-game losing streak that was just broken on Sunday night. It appears as though the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis is not enough to carry them to a championship this season.
He added that he wants to see the two players leave so that JJ Redick can get a chance to lead the team and build it on his own. Plaschke concluded by saying this team isn't going to be Redick's while LeBron and Davis are still around.
"As entertaining as they’ve been here, the prospects of watching the Lakers evolve without James and Davis are scintillating. It would be cool to see how young malleable players could connect with Redick, a rookie with no head coaching experience whose hiring was initially ripped here."
"So far, he’s been solid. He’s seemingly scheming this team into a position to win — lots of teamwork, lots of pace — but they just don’t have the breadth or depth to pull it off. He also gets high marks for early accountability: witness his postgame presser after the horror of Miami."
The problem with that statement is; this is not yet his team. It’s LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ team, and it’s time for them to give it up."
The Lakers definitely need to make some moves before the trade deadline. It is unlikely that Rob Pelinka will be drastic enough in execution to trade both LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But some moves are needed.
Perhaps Pelinka should make a move for an All-Star caliber player that can help their championship prospects. Fadeaway World put together a mock trade that sees the Lakers land Jimmy Butler as an example. This move would definitely help the Lakers become a contender in the Western Conference.
