The Los Angeles Lakers have had an up-and-down season, which was expected given the number of injuries they have sustained. The Lakers are led by Luka Dončić and LeBron James. For James, his priority is simple: he wants to be on a team with a legitimate chance to win a championship.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Rich Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
Dončić, meanwhile, is on a different timeline than James, but that doesn’t mean he’s willing to be patient. The young star wants to compete now rather than wait a year or two for the roster to take shape.
“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote.
One potential trade target who could help push the Lakers toward the NBA Finals is Draymond Green.
“Green’s friendship with LeBron has fueled most of the past speculation, but this is different. There are no real links to coming to LA. This is noise that the Warriors are willing to deal Draymond if it means landing a superstar like Giannis. If Golden State is ready to move on, the Lakers could swoop in and get arguably the best defenders of this generation on the cheap,” Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts wrote.
Whether the Lakers make a move at the trade deadline remains uncertain, but if the Warriors are positioning themselves to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, Los Angeles could potentially insert itself into a deal involving Green. Such a move would be a major development and immediately bolster the Lakers’ defense.
Beyond his defensive impact, Green brings an intensity and edge that few players can match. He would also serve as a strong on-court protector and leader alongside franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić.