The odds of the Los Angeles Lakers making a major move at the trade deadline have decreased in recent days, sources tell Jovan Buha of The Athletic. The Lakers have grown more confident in the potential for the team to improve internally.
The Lakers will not trade Austin Reaves unless a perennial All-Star unexpectedly becomes available, sources tell Buha.
Dejounte Murray remains a target, but they’re not prepared to vastly improve their initial offer of D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2029 first round pick and additional pick compensation. The Atlanta Hawks have sought Reaves back in return, but the Lakers appear unwilling to budge from their position that he won’t be included.
The Lakers need another solid wing defender who preferably is also at least a decent perimeter shooter.
The Dallas Mavericks continue to pursue a power forward with Kyle Kuzma and P.J. Washington their preferred targets.
The Mavericks have also been linked with Andrew Wiggins, but sources tell Marc Stein of The Stein Line that any interest they have is “overstated.” There are not currently any active discussions between the Mavericks and Golden State Warriors on Wiggins.
Kuzma re-signed with the Washington Wizards this past offseason on a four-year, $102 million deal. Various reports have indicated that both Kuzma and the Wizards remain happy with each other despite their struggles this season.
Washington re-signed with the Charlotte Hornets on a three-year, $48 million deal.
Despite losing Joel Embiid for an indeterminate amount of time, the Philadelphia 76ers will continue to seek upgrades at the trade deadline. The Sixers remain hopeful that Embiid can return this season.
“They’re going to continue to be buyers at this trade deadline,” said Adrian Wojnarowski. “I think they’re trying to improve themselves on multiple fronts. Perhaps, is there a backup center who can help carry them here in the short-term. There’s certainly a lot of them available. There are a lot of teams on the market for backup centers.
“Potentially players like Andre Drummond who has been in Philadelphia before. Kelly Olynyk, those are some of the guys in that marketplace.
“But doing bigger things than that, what Philly wants to do: they’re in fifth place right now in the East. They’re three games up on Indiana. What Philly would like to do is stay at least in sixth place and not drop off into the play-in.”
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