The Los Angeles Lakers took a small swing with their trade that sent D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
While this move could help improve the roster, it’s likely not a huge needle-mover for a team that is currently the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
If the Lakers truly hope to compete for a title this year, they may need to take a much bigger swing before the trade deadline.
One of the top players in the NBA who could be available in the coming weeks is Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox.
Though it’s unclear if the Kings will consider trading Fox, The Athletic’s Sam Amick revealed three teams that are already being linked to the All-Star guard, including the Lakers.
“The San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers top the list of teams that are most often discussed as possible Fox landing spots, with others sure to make a run at him if (when?) he’s truly on the market,” Amick wrote in a Thursday column.
What’s going to work against the Lakers is that they are longtime rivals with the Kings and share a state. Sacramento may be keener on sending Fox to the Eastern Conference or at least to another state.
The Lakers were able to retain their first-round picks in the Nets trade so they could make an appealing offer.
Time will tell if the Kings will be willing to listen to Los Angeles. Fox’s $163 million contract extension he signed in 2020 expires after the 2025-26 season so Sacramento will need to make a firm decision in the near future.
