Bill Plaschke is completely off base with his recent Los Angeles Times article. While exciting and controversial, suggesting the Lakers should part ways with LeBron James and Anthony Davis offers an absurd alternative reality. Look, I get it - the Lakers have stumbled after their promising 10-4 start, and things aren't looking great right now. But calling for the team's two best players to leave? That's just ridiculous.
When Plaschke writes about asking LeBron to waive his no-trade clause and shipping AD off to another team, he's not seeing the bigger picture. Sure, the Lakers might end up in the play-in tournament again, and yes, that 41-point loss to Miami earlier this season was embarrassing. But let's be real here - NBA seasons have ups and downs.
Plaschke's doom and gloom about the Lakers losing the city to the Dodgers and having no hope for improvement is pure sensationalism. He points to their recent 3-7 skid (only briefly interrupted by beating Portland 107-98) as some kind of evidence that everything's falling apart. But this is the NBA - almost every team (even teams that eventually make the playoffs) goes through rough patches.
Suggesting that trading two future Hall of Famers is not solution. The Lakers don't need a complete teardown - they're literally one or two pieces away from being legitimate contenders in the West. Instead of this dramatic "blow it all up" approach, why not focus on realistic improvements?
Here's what actually makes sense: Put Gabe Vincent and D'Angelo Russell on the trade block. Use those assets to bring in a solid defensive stopper and a reliable point guard before the February 6 trade deadline. That's how you fix this team - not by shipping out LeBron and AD in some misguided attempt at a reset.
The Lakers are struggling right now, no doubt. Their defense has been awful, and the offense isn't clicking like it should. But suggesting that the best way for LeBron and AD to "help" the team is by leaving? That's just taking overreaction to a whole new level.
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This story was originally published December 11, 2024, 8:36 AM.