As The Athletic reported after the Finney-Smith commerce, the Lakers stay lively on the commerce market in pursuit of upgrades, in keeping with staff and league sources. They continue to evaluate their roster and are cautiously optimistic that Jarred Vanderbilt’s looming return will give them clarity as to which positions and skills they need most. With simply over two weeks remaining till the deadline, although, it’s time to evaluate whether or not this group is operating out of time. The sense across the league, when speaking to rival scouts and front-office personnel, is that standing pat or making a half-measure commerce (probably one or two second-round picks) is extra probably than the Lakers going all-in and buying and selling each of their future first-round picks that may be moved. That’s dependent, in fact, on the out there gamers, asking costs and the staff’s efficiency by way of the deadline. -via New York Times / January 21, 2025
