Days After Making Huge Addition to LeBron James? Side, Lakers? Pursuit of Big Trade Target Hits Roadblock After NBA Side?s Rejection

With the NBA trade deadline right around the corner, the Los Angeles Lakers have started making moves in the trade market to try and add fresh talent to the roster. Likewise, GM Rob Pelinka and co. recently acquired young forward Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards, whose skillset enhances the team’s offensive firepower. However, despite the heroics of LeBron James, the underwhelming season so far has led the NBA world to expect more than what Hachimura brings to the table.

Consequently, the Lakers’ top brass are actively scouring for the best value in the market. However, they recently hit a major roadblock on a potential blockbuster trade that could have changed their fortunes for the season.

In the off-season, the Lakers were under immense pressure to make some major moves and shake up the roster after a historically bad season where they didn’t even make the play-in tournament. However, they couldn’t land any big names due to their notorious reluctance to not trade their coveted first-round picks for 2027 and 2029. Fast forward to today, the same inclination to not give up their assets may have cost them another big trade.?

The Lakers’ bid to acquire Bojan Bogdanovic gets rejected

The Lakers were reportedly in the race to acquire Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons. Bogdanovic, who is having a career season so far, has become one of the hottest commodities in the market. Consequently, the tremors of the Lakers potentially adding the talented forward after acquiring Hachimura had many excited. However, according to a report by The Athletic, the Pistons are demanding an un-protected first-round pick at a minimum.?

Senior writer Jovan Buha of The Athletic wrote, “…The Pistons are looking for an unprotected first-round pick, at a minimum, in a potential trade, according to league sources. The Lakers’ preference is to only give up a lottery-protected first for the 34-year-old Bogdanovi?, though that could change when up against the trade-deadline clock.”?

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The Lakers’ unwillingness to part ways with their picks has apparently resulted in a deadlock between the two parties. Moreover, the delayed trade has also sparked a major debate among fans over acquiring Bogdanovic, who makes around $20 million a year.

Barring the Bogdanovic trade, the Lakers are favorites to land other big names who may fuel their crucial playoff push. The Lakers are currently the 13th seed in the Western Conference with an underwhelming record of 23-26. Meanwhile, ‘King James’ is having an MVP-level season at 38, with impressive averages of 30.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists so far this season.

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What do you think of the Lakers’ chances this year? Can they still make the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below.