Lakers’ Week 17 in review
Lakers forward Jordan Hill reaches for a rebound during a win over the Boston Celtics on Feb. 22, 2015.
The NBA trade deadline came and went midway through Week 16, but the struggling Lakers chose to stand pat, the right call considering the team’s situation.
Point guard Goran Dragic reportedly had interest in a trade to the Lakers, but such a deal was unlikely. Coach Byron Scott deferred to General Manager Mitch Kupchak on the topic but ultimately the Lakers chose to stay with what they have.
Kupchak said the team wouldn’t mortgage the future, improving quickly just to try to win over Kobe Bryant’s final season.
Bryant noted that he does “wonder” when his career will end.
Forward Carlos Boozer is unlikely to ask the Lakers for a contract buyout. Scott chose to bench Boozer on Friday, sitting the veteran for the team’s 114-105 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
Wesley Johnson was also left out of the rotation against the Nets, in what was the Lakers’ seventh consecutive defeat.
After the Brooklyn defeat, the Lakers put themselves in strong position to keep a top-five draft pick in June. If the selection falls to six, the franchise will convey the pick to the Philadelphia 76ers, by way of the Phoenix Suns (Steve Nash trade).
The Lakers broke out of their slump on Sunday, facing the longtime rival Boston Celtics. Jeremy Lin had a big night, as the Lakers pulled away with a 118-111 overtime win.
Meanwhile, television ratings are down for the Lakers.
The team would like rookie Jordan Clarkson to play in summer league.
Finally, Charles Barkley said he was almost traded to Lakers.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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