A 3-10 start was not what the Los Angeles Lakers were hoping for before this season.
They have the third-worst record in the league and the fourth-worst average point differential.
LeBron James has missed three games with a groin injury while his efficiency numbers are down across the board from last year.
Anthony Davis seems to be regaining his form but is not quite there yet.
And Russell Westbrook is quietly becoming a strong player off the bench.
It has been a mixed bag of results for their stars, but they seem to be growing together.
However, the Lakers as a team are far from where they need to be.
They rank near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories.
And are the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA percentage-wise (30.7%).
LA needs to make some moves, and fast if they want to salvage the season.
1. Russell Westbrook
Yes, Westbrook has started to grow into his role coming off the bench.
Since getting removed from the starting lineup, Westbrook is averaging 18.3 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds across 29.6 minutes per game.
Somewhat more importantly, he is doing so efficiently, shooting 44.9% from the field and 41.5% from three.
Russell Westbrook is shooting a career high 36.2% from three.
He has made the most threes on the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/vwpSMjkUZ1
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 12, 2022
A far cry from the abysmal 28.9% and 8.3% he was at after the first three games, all starts.
But that should not remove him from the trading block.
Westbrook is a career 30.5% shooter from three and will assuredly see some regression at some point this year.
When that happens, Los Angeles does not have the roster makeup to withstand it.
Westbrook should be traded to bring back players that better fit next to James and Davis.
2. Kendrick Nunn
Outside of Westbrook, there aren’t a whole lot of trade candidates.
Unless you are in the camp that wants to trade Davis.
But trading Davis would almost assuredly rub James the wrong way and potentially do more harm than good.
Kendrick Nunn could be a candidate to get moved for some help on the wings.
He is on an expiring contract paying him $5.25 million this year.
Lakers gave Kendrick Nunn 2 year deal worth $5 mil per. He missed his entire first season and now he’s almost unplayable in his second season. Having to practice with the G-league. Don’t know if it could have went worse for him and the team.
— Laker Central (@LakerCentral365) November 15, 2022
Nunn missed all last year with a knee injury and has not performed well this year.
He is averaging 4.7 points and 1.3 assists per game on 30.9% shooting from the field and 22.9% from deep.
However, he is still just 27 years old and showed promise with the Miami Heat (15 points per game on 45.8% shooting from the field, 36.4% shooting from three across 123 games).
Between James, Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and Dennis Schroder (when he returns), the Lakers will not need more ball handlers.
But a more up-and-coming team may be willing to roll the dice on previous potential being rediscovered upon a return to health.
NEXT: 2 Bold Predictions For The Lakers This Season
James says
You forgot #3 Beverly
Paul says
Regardless James and Davis are both still core players of the Lakers. Westbrook definitely has to go. Inspite of his better-than-before performance, I see him the most erratic Laker player. Nunn has to go as well together with Toscano.
Ryan needs more playing time to gain the confidence and trust to himself.
Thisguynamedpaulprollydontknowwhathetalkinabout says
idk about that one man