The Lakers are dealing with an injury to Carmelo Anthony, which makes them reconsider their trade deadline approach. But the biggest question is now that they have a need for frontcourt depth, what will happen with LeBron James?
The “nba rumors: lakers” is a story that has been making the rounds. The Lakers are considering their trade deadline approach after Carmelo Anthony’s untimely injury.
Another player of the Los Angeles Lakers has succumbed to the injury bug. Carmelo Anthony, who sustained a right hamstring injury in LA’s one-point defeat to the crosstown Clippers on Thursday, is the latest casualty. The Lakers are not only significantly more shorthanded, but they must also rethink their preparations for what is expected to be a tumultuous trade deadline.
Carmelo Anthony strained his hamstring.
Carmelo Anthony’s hamstring issue will keep him out for the remainder of tonight, which is a devastating blow for the Lakers. Last night, I scored 24 points and had 7 on the board in 11 minutes before being injured.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) February 4, 2022
The Lakers were already playing without superstar LeBron James, who was out for the sixth consecutive game due to swelling in his left knee. However, the club also lost Anthony in the second quarter.
Anthony went up for a 13-foot jump jumper with less than two minutes left in the first half and winced on his way down. He signaled head coach Frank Vogel to request a timeout and replace him seconds later. He would be out for the remainder of the game, which resulted in a 111-110 defeat.
Anthony has been one of the Purple and Gold’s rare pillars of health, and he will be re-evaluated on Friday. In 50 of LA’s 53 games, the 37-year-old has averaged 13.4 points on 43.7 percent shooting. Only Russell Westbrook has played in more games than the 19-year veteran (53) in his career.
Melo has been a go-to scorer off the bench for LA, scoring 20 points or more nine times. His 39.2 percent three-point shooting, second on the team behind Malik Monk, is a significant reason for it. Best of all, he’s on a veteran’s minimum contract, providing consistent output at a low cost to the Lakers’ cash-strapped organization.
The Lakers’ trade deadline intentions have been complicated by Anthony’s injury.
I’m much more worried now than I was in February about what a Carmelo Anthony injury may entail for the Lakers.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) February 4, 2022
The Lakers are merely 25-28 with less than a week before the trade deadline. The 17-time winners, needless to say, are yearning for change.
However, Anthony’s injury will further complicate deadline considerations.
Let’s assume Anthony, who is 37 years old, will be out for a long period. Do the Lakers want to trade many members of their bench (Talen Horton-Tucker, Wayne Ellington, etc.) to get a big name? This will improve the starting five, but it will also exacerbate LA’s already-thin depth in a season when no one can stay healthy.
Carmelo’s absence, on the other hand, may merely force LA to upgrade the bench. Rather of pursuing a big fish, the Lakers might search for inexpensive aid to try to replace Anthony and provide the team with post-injury alternatives. The disadvantage is that you can wind up with a contract that has little influence on LA at the end of the day.
This season, Anthony is one of the few guys the Lakers can’t afford to lose. Particularly at this vital point.
The Lakers should concentrate on adding depth on their roster.
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At the deadline, the Lakers may either go star-shopping or bargain-hunting. They should choose the latter due of Anthony’s hamstring injury.
As tempting as it may be to sell all available assets in order to acquire someone like Jerami Grant, LA’s lack of depth has proven to be a big stumbling block. While other teams can sustain significant starting injuries, the Purple and Gold have been decimated by the 38 games lost by James and Anthony Davis. Every outstanding starting lineup in Golden State, Phoenix, and Memphis is backed up by a strong bench that can keep them afloat should things go wrong.
Anthony was one of LA’s most useful depth players, and he was also one of the most accessible. The Lakers must now look for options that won’t cost an arm and a leg to fill his shoes.
Reconsidering a Westbrook trade may be an out-of-the-box approach. Even if LA doesn’t get a guy of Russ’ level, finding a way to add 2-3 excellent vets might be enough to replace Anthony and improve a mediocre bench.
The Lakers are a team fascinated with superstars. However, if Carmelo is sidelined for an extended period of time, they should concentrate their trade deadline efforts on improving the supporting cast.
Basketball Reference provided all statistics.
Carmelo Anthony Is in a Reserve Role He Once Criticized, But He’s Happy and Helping the Los Angeles Lakers RELATED: Carmelo Anthony Is in a Reserve Role He Once Criticized, But He’s Happy and Helping the Los Angeles Lakers
