The Los Angeles Lakers got off to a slow start as they worked their way through their self-inflicted drama.
As the team started to gain some ground in the West, it was clear that the biggest difference was that the offense was running through Anthony Davis with no questions asked.
Davis put 44 on Milwaukee. Followed that up with a double-nickel against Washington. Later he would go on a three-game stretch where he averaged 34 points a game and then Anthony Davis turned back into Anthony Davis. He turned back into his fragile self.
It was announced today that Davis will be out indefinitely with a stress injury in his right foot.
Los Angeles sits 13th in the Western Conference. They’ve lost back-to-back games to Phoenix and Sacramento. In both games, the Lakers gave up 130+ points. If that isn’t bad enough, they are one of two teams (Detroit Pistons being the other) that hasn’t won a game in their own division.
Davis’ derailed a team that was probably heading to the NBA Play-In at best. But, that’s important when you consider that spent every asset possible to get Davis in the first place.
The injury also forces the hand of Rob Pelinka.
When Davis and the Lakers looked like they were poised to recover from the bad start, it meant Pelinka could be more selective about what to do with the two draft assets that they are eligible to trade.
Now the direction of those two picks become cloudier. The Lakers could keep both and throw the season away and then re-evaluate. Presumably, Los Angeles would be a healthy Davis coming back along with Russell Westbrook’s contract off the books. Cap space and two draft picks would give the Lakers the ability, albeit still limited, to chart what they want to look like next season.
They could trade the two picks now and try to save the season which could hurt them in the long run. It also could close up cap room for next season depending on the particulars of the deal.
Lets no forget that Pelinka’s contract run parallel to LeBron James’ contract. That also could drive what Pelinka does.
The schedule isn’t working is Los Angeles’ favor. After their home date with Charlotte, Los Angeles hits the road for five games starting with a Christmas Day date with Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.
Davis’ injury has put Los Angeles in a bad position…. some might say a fragile one.
