After suffering another loss on Friday, the Lakers are looking for some help to turn their season around.
Naturally, his best course of action may be with Anthony Davis already under contract.
Unfortunately, there is a chance that Davis could be out for the rest of the season, with the latest update giving a 4-5 week timetable for his return.
(via ESPN)
The Lakers fell to 27-32 on Friday, losing to the Clippers, ninth in the Western Conference and without Davis to play, which sources told ESPN with a right middle leg sprain is likely to be four to five weeks away. The Lakers believe they will have the likes of guard Russell Westbrook ($47.1 million), Talen Horton-Tucker, and first-round picks to expire in 2027 and 2029 to use in trades.
Since his arrival in 2019, Davis has shown the Lakers just how impressive he can be. During the team's title run in 2020, he was crucial to both ends of the team, and many experts saw him as the future of the franchise.
After lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy, however, AD struggled to stay on the floor with various injuries, including a mid-leg sprain that would keep him out for nearly two months.
Sustainability has been a major issue, and some are already losing faith that he can lead the Lakers into a post-LeBron era.
"I didn't want to say that, because I have crazy love and respect for Anthony Davis. I still think this brother is a star, he averages 23 and 9 and shoots better than 50% off the field." But just 16% to three-point range, 11-65 this year. Just three-point shooting. Ladies and gentlemen, we're going to talk about the Lakers beyond this season. They have to trade Anthony Davis ,” argued Stephen A. Smith at First Take. "You don't keep Anthony Davis, here's why: His worth as a player is his value, but durability is a question mark at age 28. As you get older, those sustainability questions and So when you think about how high his stock's going to go, isn't it now?"
For the rest of the season without Davis, the Lakers will have to rely on Russell Westbrook and LeBron James to produce and produce in their absence. These next few weeks are going to be a big test for both of them.
Furthermore, there is reason to question Davis' future. With LeBron nearly 20 years into his NBA career, he needs a partner he can count on.