In a delicate situation on the market, the Lakers trapped with a nugget?
In a situation similar to that of last year from an accounting point of view, the Lakers hope to once again raise the bar with trades. Problem: one of their young players with interesting potential is struggling to find a buyer.
Based on their coronation at the end of the In-Season Tournament, some would tend to believe that their start to the season is better than last year. And yet, at this stage of the competition, the Lakers have the same record (19-21) as in 2023 and are still in 11th place in the Western Conference. Their salvation could therefore once again go through the transfer market.
Because yes, as a reminder, the departure of Russell Westbrook as well as the arrivals of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt had done them the greatest good on the sidelines of the last trade deadline. It remains to be seen whether Rob Pelinka will be able to perform new miracles in the days and weeks to come. For the moment, however, the negotiations that he was able to initiate seem much more delicate.
The Lakers face the thorny Max Christie equation
Interested in Zach LaVine or Dejounte Murray, the Lakers have so far still not moved up a gear in these two files. The fault in particular is their doubts concerning the consideration to be offered. The availability of Austin Reaves indeed raises questions , while another case complicates their affairs, namely that of Max Christie. Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports:
The Spurs are moving to surround Wemby, two players on the start!
Max Christie, playing his second season in the NBA and having managed to find a place in the backcourt rotation, has value and fans within the league, but his status as a restricted free agent next summer decreases its market value.
35th pick in the 2022 Draft, Christie is indeed starting to receive more and more regular playing time these days, and is taking the opportunity to show off.
Following the recent blow received by his franchise , there is a good chance that this will continue and that he will continue his explosion. In any case, its potential does not suffer from any dispute and would usually make it an asset of choice in negotiations. The problem is that his contract will end in just a few months and therefore represents a future investment for rival teams.
Thus, several franchises would carefully monitor his progress in Los Angeles, but fear having to offer him a large check during the next offseason if they recruit him. Enough to complicate the task of the Angelino front office, which could well be forced to keep it. However, at only 20 years old, not sure that he represents an asset compatible with the short-term project of the Purple & Gold.
Undoubtedly talented and promising, Max Christie would not have an interesting rating on the market for the Lakers. The fault is an expiring contract which would almost force its potential buyer to increase his salary next summer.
