The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a precarious situation as injuries loom over their roster. With Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood sidelined due to offseason surgeries, the team is exploring the trade market for a centre, according to ESPN analyst Shams Charania. “Sources tell me the Lakers are on the hunt to find a big man,” Charania disclosed during NBA Today. The question on everyone’s mind is: when will this trade happen?
Trade Talks Heat Up: Can the Lakers Find a Big Man Before the Season Opener?
Vanderbilt’s availability for the season opener on October 22 is in serious doubt after missing training camp and the preseason due to foot surgeries. Meanwhile, Wood is expected to miss Game 1 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in September. This leaves the Lakers vulnerable, with only Anthony Davis as the key center option.
As it stands, Jaxson Hayes, who averaged a mere 4.3 points in 12.5 minutes last season, is the only backup available. This raises eyebrows—how can a championship contender rely on such thin center depth? To complicate matters, Colin Castleton and rookie Armel Traore are on two-way contracts with the G League’s South Bay Lakers, potentially filling in, but their experience is minimal.
Another name that has surfaced is Christian Koloko. After a stint with the Toronto Raptors ended due to a blood clot issue, Koloko joined the Lakers in September but hasn’t been cleared to play yet. Lakers head coach JJ Redick mentioned that while team doctors are optimistic about Koloko’s clearance, it remains a fluid situation. The uncertainty surrounding his health adds fuel to the fire—will the Lakers pull the trigger on a trade if Koloko isn’t ready?
Redick, since stepping into his new role, has emphasized wanting to utilize Anthony Davis at power forward. This would allow the Lakers to exploit Davis’ defensive versatility against perimeter players. However, this strategy hinges on securing additional centre depth—an essential piece of the puzzle that the Lakers are currently missing.
The pressure is mounting with the clock ticking down to the season opener. The organization must make a decision: continue to gamble on the health of their players or make a bold move in the trade market. As the saying goes, “Fortune favours the bold,” and for the Lakers, taking calculated risks may be the only way to navigate this rocky road ahead.
As fans eagerly await updates, one thing is clear: the Lakers are at a crossroads. Will they find the right center to bolster their lineup, or will they gamble on the recovery of their injured stars? The next few days could define their season—only time will tell.
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