Lakers Are Serving Themselves a Reality Check By Pursuing a Major Trade for Ben Simmons or Jerami Grant

The Lakers have a decision to make if they want to contend for the title this year. They’re looking at two young players, who were both drafted in 2016. One (Ben Simmons) is an MVP candidate already and could be another one in his prime, while the other (Jerami Grant) is still trying to establish himself as a top-level player. The question lies with whether Laker fans are willing to give up on their star rookie in order for them not only trade him away but also build around Ben Simmons?

The “where is ben simmons from” is a question that has been on the minds of Lakers fans for some time. The Lakers are looking to make a major trade for either Ben Simmons or Jerami Grant.

The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled in the first two months of the season, raising major doubts about their ability to contend for an NBA championship. It’s prompted LeBron James, the team’s star forward, to publicly doubt the team’s ability to compete for a title. These considerations have also driven the Lakers to pursue two specific players in the trade market.

The Lakers are still on the verge of becoming a letdown.

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The Lakers’ roller-coaster season continues, as the club is on the mend following a three-game losing streak.

Los Angeles is coming off a heartbreaking defeat to the Phoenix Suns, showcasing how distant they are from contending for the NBA crown. Their inexperienced roster, along with COVID-19 difficulties, has left them in a difficult situation.

These circumstances have prompted the Lakers to seek out two players in the trade market.

By exploring a huge deal for Ben Simmons or Jerami Grant, the Lakers are serving themselves a reality check.

The Lakers aren’t where they planned to be after 32 games, sitting at.500 and lurking toward the bottom of the Western Conference playoff picture.

COVID and Injuries Los Angeles’ difficulties have been exacerbated by 19 concerns, but it hasn’t prevented general manager Rob Pelinka from looking into the trade market. Sham Charania of The Athletic said on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday that the Lakers are interested in acquiring either Ben Simmons or Jerami Grant.

“This squad doesn’t seem to have the youthful legs that they need, which is why I’ve heard they’ve been active in the trade market,” Charania said. “When you look at someone like Ben Simmons, they’d kill to get their hands on him.” That’s the sort of player they need on this squad, Jerami Grant.”

The Lakers have long been connected to Simmons and Grant, but the practicalities of any deal are complicated. Apart from the star power, Talen Horton-Tucker comes in second with a $9 million pay, followed by Kendrick Nunn with a $5 million salary.

The remainder of the squad is on veteran minimum contracts, making the financial element of the situation perplexing. The Lakers must match any incoming money in any transaction since they are under the salary limit. Simmons is in the second year of a five-year, $177.2 million contract that pays him $33 million per year. Meanwhile, Grant is on the second year of a three-year, $60 million deal that pays him $20 million this season.

All of this means that the Lakers will need to bring in a third club in order to make the financials work. Nonetheless, it’s evident that Los Angeles is looking to change things up in order to give the city a much-needed boost.

The Lakers need to relieve LeBron James of his burden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCakzO Zmfk

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The Lakers are in a difficult situation, as their 36-year-old star, who is in his 19th season, is expected to guide them through a difficult period.

Davis’ absence exacerbates the situation by forcing James to shoulder a heavier offensive burden despite Russell Westbrook’s presence. The talented point guard will undoubtedly help alleviate that burden, but it will be up to the four-time league MVP to lead them behind his performance.

Any transaction is aimed at maximizing James’ time on the field, since he is still producing at a high level. He’s also only under contract for next season, emphasizing the need of assembling a championship-caliber group around him.

Regardless of the Lakers’ decisions, James will have a huge impact on the outcome of his club.

Spotrac provided the contract numbers.

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Related Tags

• nba rumors: lakers
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