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The Lakers are riding a high right now, winners of six in a row and sitting atop the league looking down. But there’s always the question of how it can get even better.
This week’s mailbag saw questions based on potential trades for backup centers as well as prospects to watch with Coachella Valley in the G League.
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Let’s dive in!
The backup center position is going to be arguably the top priority for the Lakers between now and the trade deadline. While the Jarred Vanderbilt-Sandro Mamukelashvili pairing has done a suitable job as a short-term solution, it doesn’t feel like one that will work when the games really matter.
The pairing offers spacing offensively, but can they hold up enough defensively in the playoffs? And if they don’t, then who can you target that will?
I still worry about Brook Lopez defensively in the playoffs because the last time we saw him in the postseason, it was really rough. But depending on the price, there could be value there.
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Similarly, Jericho Sims will likely remain a name on the Lakers’ radar until the deadline. He has played in six games this season, but he has played more than eight minutes only twice. Do they try to get really frisky and try to get Kel’el Ware from Milwaukee, another player they were linked to? The asking price will probably be too high, but it’ll be worth a question.
There could be a buyout market to find someone, but it’s hard to determine what that’ll look like in November.
As for Looney, I think he brings value as a leader and on this team. He’s been around the block more than anyone else. And there are a couple other guys I’d have higher on the list to waive before him.
I don’t think this start really changes the team’s approach at the trade deadline. For one, the team is still going to prioritize having the ability to use the mid-level exception next season, so I can’t imagine they’ll take on long-term contract without sending out long-term money.
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PJ Washington, for example, would cut into that room next season. Daniel Gafford, who I did not mention in the last section, creates similar issues depending on the outgoing…
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Publish date : 2026-11-11 16:24:00
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