As the Los Angeles Lakers continue into the new NBA season, they are likely to face the reality that a trade is needed to finalize the roster. Los Angeles hardly made any moves to their team over the offseason and has been eying the upcoming trade deadline as a saving grace.
However, the Lakers have limited assets to spare in any potential deal which can create some issues in trade talks. Now more than ever, teams are valuing their talented players so deals are harder to come by.
This is especially true with the new salary cap restrictions in place so the Lakers will have to get creative if they want to make any deals happen. Recently, Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that Los Angeles had an interest in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler ahead of the deadline.
Read more: Lakers Reportedly Showing Trade Interest in Star Western Conference Center
But it seems that the Jazz may not be interested in what the Lakers have to offer. Sam Amick and John Hollinger of The Athletic are reporting that Utah isn't too fond of the proposed trade package of guard D'Angelo Russell and draft picks.
"While our Jovan Buha recently reported the Lakers have interest in Kessler, a Jazz source indicated the possible framework of a deal — D'Angelo Russell and multiple first-round picks — would not be of interest. As noted above, though, there could be other Lakers iterations that might be of more interest."
Russell is one of the better trade pieces that Los Angeles has, especially with his $18.6 million expiring contract. However, he is viewed poorly around the league so any deal to move him would rewrite Los Angeles to likely trade extra draft capital.
The issue for the Lakers is that they have two first-round picks to offer, both of which are extremely valuable. Los Angeles won't move the picks just to make a deal but the clock is ticking on their title chances.
Star LeBron James will turn 40 in December and he doesn't have many years left to play. Co-star Anthony Davis is still in his prime but the Lakers can't afford to waste the last year or two of the star duo.
Los Angeles is in a pretty tough predicament between prioritizing the present and protecting the future. It will be up to general manager Rob Pelinka to balance this dilemma but it seems that the Lakers may be more inclined to make a move than in the past.
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