The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a difficult stretch after two embarrassing defeats in a row, including a lopsided 134-93 defeat to the Miami Heat and a 109-80 drubbing by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The team’s defensive lethargy and poor execution have led to renewed questions about their long-term direction and the viability of continuing to build around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
In the wake of these losses, basketball analyst Jason Timpf didn’t mince words on his Hoops Tonight podcast, urging team governor Jeanie Buss to make bold moves.
“I think they should trade LeBron [James] and AD [Davis],” Timpf said.
“Start the rebuild. Jeanie Buss needs to fire Rob Pelinka and hire somebody who actually understands basketball, and they need a fresh start.”
He suggested the Lakers bring in fresh leadership, potentially investing in JJ Redick, who recently replaced Darvin Ham as head coach, and a new front office to spearhead a rebuild.
The Lakers’ struggles are particularly glaring considering the franchise’s championship expectations since James arrived in 2018. While the acquisition of Anthony Davis led to an NBA title in 2020, the years since have been marked by inconsistency, injuries, and disappointing playoff exits.
The Lakers’ ability to improve their roster is hamstrung by the contracts of James and Davis. According to Spotrac, the duo accounts for a staggering 64.7 percent of the team’s salary cap this season. Even in the 2024-25 season, that number remains high at 39 percent, assuming James opts into his $52.6 million player option.
Anthony Davis, who signed a three-year, $175.3 million extension in August 2023, is locked in through 2027-28. His injury history, combined with his $62.7 million player option in the final year, makes him a challenging trade asset.
These financial constraints leave the Lakers with little flexibility to make meaningful roster improvements. The team is also just $30,000 below the NBA’s restrictive second apron, further limiting their ability to add talent midseason.
While trading Davis could theoretically jumpstart a rebuild, moving LeBron James is nearly impossible. James holds a no-trade clause, and his presence on the team makes Davis virtually untouchable.
