We are less than one week away from the February 6 trade deadline. While the Los Angeles Lakers have yet to make a move since acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith, the fanbase is growing more frustrated with the front office.
Even though the Lakers are 27-19 and sit in the fifth-place in the Western Conference, they haven't looked like a championship contender all season. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have to carry too big of an offensive burden, and despite Austin Reaves' resurgence, the Lakers are one or two pieces away from being a dangerous playoff team.
An opportunity to significantly improve the roster at the deadline emerged earlier in the week when it was reported that De'Aaron Fox was officially on the trade block. Although it was revealed that Fox is eyeing the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers need to get involved and try to land him, even if it means only for a 1.5-season rental.
Fox will be a free agent after the 2025-26 season. If the reports are accurate, there is mutual interest between him and the Spurs. Even if he is to leave for San Antonio in free agency, it makes sense for the Lakers to trade for him now and have him around for two postseason runs.
Shams Charania:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 28, 2025
"I'm told the Lakers are not part of that destination of choice for De'Aaron Fox potentially.”
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
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Lakers Need to Trade for De'Aaron Fox at the Deadline Despite Lack of Interest
While Fox has indicated that the Lakers are not among his preferred destinations, we have seen plenty of stars land with teams not at the top of their lists and find a ton of success. Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors to a championship as a one-year rental. Donovan Mitchell reportedly didn't want to go to Cleveland but they were able to convince him to re-sign there and now they are one of the best teams in the league.
With LeBron James entering the dawn of his career, the Lakers owe it to him to surround him with the best talent possible. Los Angeles will likely not get another chance to bring in a player as good as Fox until after LeBron's retirement.
Whether the Lakers' offer of Austin Reaves and draft capital will be enough to beat other offers remains to be seen but it behooves the front office to at least try.