LeBron James challenged the Lakers in an unusually blunt, unsparing tweet that could foreshadow a deadline move. The Brooklyn Nets have been prominently mentioned as a potential trade partner for Los Angeles this season and LeBron’s message is bound to make them more attractive than ever.
The “nba rumors, trade” is a topic that has been trending on social media lately. LeBron James’ scorching message to the Lakers could spur a desperate NBA trade deadline move.
The Los Angeles Lakers had a championship-or-bust mindset heading into the 2021-22 NBA season, and they weren’t the only ones. Before the season began, bookmakers all across the globe had the Lakers as the favorite or second-best bet to win the championship in 2022, behind the Brooklyn Nets.
However, with a losing record after 55 games, LA is more concerned with making the play-in round than with winning the title.
Following the Lakers’ thrashing by the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night, LeBron James was forthright about the team’s situation and hinted at the necessity for a season-saving move before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday.
In a humiliating defeat to the Bucks, the Lakers set a new low.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James reacts to a Milwaukee Bucks’ foul call | Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Every time the Lakers suffer their worst defeat of the season, it seems like another one follows a few days later. We now have a new contender after Tuesday night’s 131-116 defeat to the Bucks.
The final score does not reflect how lopsided the game was from beginning to end. In the first half, Milwaukee shot over 70% from the field and scored 78 points against LA’s defenseless defense. Players began dancing on the court as the Bucks began to built a 30-point lead in the third quarter, as if they were playing a scrimmage.
If nothing else, the humiliating defeat served as a reminder of just how bad this Lakers squad is. They’re closer to a joke than a championship contender in 2022, as seen by their 26-29 record.
With the NBA trade deadline looming, LeBron gave a sobering reality check that might push the Lakers to make a last-minute deal.
LeBron James gives a brutally honest appraisal of the Lakers’ suffocating situation.
The Lakers were understandably depressed after being thrashed by the defending champs on their own floor on Tuesday night. In his postgame news conference with Anthony Davis, James was obviously upset, and when a reporter asked him what the loss to the Bucks means for the club, he didn’t hold back.
“Yeah. “It tells me we’re not on their level,” James said. “I mean, I could have probably told you that before the game even began.”
The reporter then inquired as to whether the Lakers might achieve that level this season.
“Can you tell me where they are right now?” “I’m not sure,” he said. “Do I believe we can get to the point where Milwaukee is now?” No, no, no. Is this what you were hoping to hear? No.
“I’d like to think so,” he said, “but not just now.” “Right now, we can’t go to where they are.” For a reason, they’re the reigning champs. Whether you asked teams coming out of the bubble if they could reach to the level we were playing at when we won a championship, I promise they would have said the same thing.”
Rob Pelinka, it’s your turn.
Before the NBA trade deadline, expect a last-minute deal.
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The Lakers can’t afford to take a chance on the 2021-22 season. LeBron is 37 years old, and despite being the NBA’s most durable superstar, there’s no way of knowing how many more prime years he has left.
And, given that this Lakers squad is unlikely to win a title this season as it is, they may be compelled to make a panic move before Thursday afternoon.
Los Angeles’ most fascinating alternative would be to abandon its Russell Westbrook experiment and trade him for a competent starter, but his $47 million budget charge for next season makes that practically impossible. Apart from Westbrook, the Lakers don’t have much in the way of trade options this week. Although a combination of Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and Malik Monk may be attractive, it is unlikely to bring back the difference-maker they need.
With their present team, the Lakers aren’t contenders, and LeBron knows it. At this year’s NBA trade deadline, don’t expect LA to go quietly.
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