NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Journalist Predicts the Possibility of a Major Trade for De'Aaron Fox
It has been reported that amidst the Sacramento Kings' five-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked with De'Aaron Fox. According to insider Tim MacMahon, the relationship with Klutch Sports may lead people around the league to mention the Lakers as a potential landing spot for Sacramento's trade of Fox.
Klutch Sports is an agency owned and founded by Rich Paul. Its clients include Fox, as well as Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. As Lakers fans draft various plausible trade scenarios, team journalists, Jovan Buha from The Athletic and Claire De Lune from The Guardian, predict that a trade between the Lakers and Kings could be possible.
De Lune dismisses the possibility of a blockbuster trade bringing Fox to the Lakers, citing the relationship between the teams.
"I can't imagine there would be any special trade between Sacramento and the Lakers, Sacramento isn't just taking the Lakers' kitchen sink and ransacking them," she said on Friday's episode of 'The Buha's Block.'
"I can imagine the Lakers might be the last team on their list that they want to send their best player to. If people want to talk about the mythical Lakers tax, I think this could be a scenario."
More than two decades ago, during the three-peat era of Kobe Bryant-Shaq O'Neal, the playoff rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings began to heat up. Since then, there has been no affection between the two teams. Because the Kings and Lakers are also in the same division, it is unlikely that they will trade De'Aaron Fox with the Lakers.
Even if they did, the Lakers might have to pay more than any other team. As Claire De Lune mentioned, the "mythical" Lakers tax could come into effect.
The Lakers should focus on strengthening their roster depth rather than pursuing big-name players like De'Aaron Fox.
The Los Angeles Lakers have embarked on the path of building a superteam and have often been top-heavy in their history. The results have fallen far short of their expectations. Recently, after acquiring Russell Westbrook in the 2021-22 season, the Lakers went from being a top-four team in the West to a lottery team.
This not only hindered the team in that season but also limited their ability to improve their roster for a long time. This move still affects the Lakers' transfers. They do not have the best assets to outbid competitors and acquire coveted trade candidates.
A promising prospect like De'Aaron Fox, with his 34.8millionsalarythisyearand37 million next season, would put the Lakers far beyond the second tax apron. They would largely lose their financial flexibility because if this does not succeed, they will not be able to recoup more salary in future trades.
The Los Angeles Lakers would also be unable to sign buyout candidates, and other players would be filled with veteran minimum contracts.
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