The Los Angeles Lakers might be considering a bold move to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, even though reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggest that the Nets aren’t actively seeking to trade him.
Wojnarowski mentioned that the Nets’ primary focus is to build a stronger team around Mikal Bridges, as indicated in a post on Threads dated January 3.
Both the Lakers and the Nets have been struggling lately. With the Nets losing five consecutive games and 10 of their last 12, sitting at a 15-20 record for the season and holding the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference Standings, they might be inclined to keep the 27-year-old Bridges, especially with the Play-In Tournament in view.
Yet, there are doubts among some observers regarding the Nets’ stance on keeping Bridges. Kurt Helin of NBC Sports suggested on January 3 that while the Nets claim to want to retain Bridges, it could potentially be a strategic leak to drive up trade offers for him.
Lakers get:
– Mikal Bridges
Nets get:
– Austin Reaves
– Jalen Hood-Schifino
– Max Christie
– 2029 first-round pick
– 2031 first-round pick
– 2030 first-round pick swap
If possible, the Lakers should aim to keep one of Hood-Schifino, the No. 17 overall pick in this year’s draft, or Christie out of the transaction. They may also be unwilling to argue too much if Brooklyn insists on including both prospects.
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‘Smart Money’ Against Mikal Bridges Trade to Lakers
Bridges’ current season stats show him averaging 20.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. This is a slight dip in scoring compared to last season when he averaged 26.1 points over 27 games with the Nets. Additionally, his true shooting percentage stands at 56.2%, marking the second-lowest point in his career.
However, his increased rebounding and assist numbers suggest a shift in focus for the Nets towards alternative scoring options.
Bullseye 🎯 pic.twitter.com/fQjMl4seQo
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 4, 2024
Despite this, Bridges remains on a contract that’s relatively favorable for the team, especially given his potential for securing his first All-Star selection this season. He’s currently in the second year of a four-year, $90.9 million deal.
“That said, the smart money is on Bridges being a Net come March,” Helin remarked.
When the Nets first acquired Bridges at the trade deadline last season, the Memphis Grizzlies offered the Nets four first-round selections.
If the 6-foot-6 former Phoenix Sun becomes available, there will be no shortage of suitors. That’s why the Lakers would have to go above and beyond to wrest him away from the Nets.
Darvin Ham ‘Doesn’t Rock’ With Austin Reaves
Reaves has been regarded as a player that would be desirable to teams interested in trade with the Lakers. After re-signing Reaves to a four-year, $53.8 million contract this offseason, the Lakers have shown little desire in involving him in any trades.
“I’ve heard it very clearly that, for whatever reason, Ham just doesn’t mess with Austin in the way that you would think he would,” Anthony Irwin stated on December 29 on the “Lakers Lounge” podcast. “It must be repaired.” And this might escalate to the point where an agent or the front office is involved.”
According to Irwin, the problem originates from Reaves’ playing time, which Ham stated he wanted to maintain under 30 minutes every game.
Darvin Ham noted postgame that he prefers to keep Austin Reaves in the 27-to-28-minute range as it keeps him “fresh” and “efficient.”
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) December 22, 2023
Reaves also argued that the Lakers’ ailments were not an adequate justification for their loss to a depleted Miami Heat club. Ham had argued that the Lakers’ absences were more significant than Heat player Jimmy Butler’s. Kyle Lowry was also missing for Miami.
According to Buha and Shams Charania of The Athletic on January 4, it has all left Ham on unstable ground.
If the head coach wins that power battle, the Lakers may become desperate enough to include Reaves in an all-in effort to acquire someone like Bridges in order to maximize their title chances.
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