Paul Pierce Sends Bold Message To Lakers Ahead Of New Season

The Los Angeles Lakers will enter one of the most challenging seasons in the last few years. LeBron James and his teammates will join forces to beat their opponents and make the NBA Finals. Patrick Beverley was the only player who joined the Lakers and General Manager Rob Pelinka has to make a few more moves to fix the current roster. Russell Westbrook doesn’t seem to be on his way out and head coach Darvin Ham is already planning his lineups. Paul Pierce is not really convinced that the 2022-23 Lakers will make a change on the basketball court.

“I’m not seeing the Lakers as a legit contender,” Pierce said on a recent episode of KG Certified. “For one, LeBron is a year older. Yeah, he averaged 30, but how much longer can he do that? And now you’re gonna put that pressure on him at the age of 37, 38 to go out there and help carry AD…AD, he can’t stay healthy. But then who are the other moving pieces? Who are your role players?” 

Paul Pierce motivates Lakers with his criticism

The Lakers are really confident about their team. Anthony Davis looks healthy and has already had his practice. The big man missed a big chunk of the 2021-22 NBA season. He missed time in 2020-21, too. Davis’ health has been a major concern for the Lakers. His inability to stay healthy made analysts discuss his potential trade.

LeBron James missed time, too. His Lakers teammates struggled to win games in his absence. Let’s hope he won’t miss any games in the upcoming season.

Lakers to change their roster

The Lakers showed interest in several players this offseason. They have to make a move and the Indiana Pacers are their potential trade partner. Ham could use a couple of players from the Pacers roster. However, Shams Charania from The Athletic reported that the Lakers will probably pass this opportunity. The Pacers are looking for first-round picks and Pelinka won’t take the risk.

“I'm told the Lakers and Pacers did engage in some trade conversations this week and the Pacers' demand for two unprotected first-round picks … is just not appealing for the Lakers.”

NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on the Pacers' plans to keep Myles Turner into the season. pic.twitter.com/rQjk6DDv0R

— The Rally (@TheRally) September 21, 2022

“The two first-round pick price is just not appealing for the Lakers, and right now, they’re going to be very prudent with the approach they’re going to take. There’s a long runway with Russell Westbrook, they can see how this team starts, they have until the trade deadline, he is on an expiring contract.

“And the Lakers mindset, I’m told, they realize this is a significant bullet that they’re going to have to use. When you look at two unprotected first-round picks, they have to time out when exactly it makes sense to make a trade. Right now, a package of Buddy Hield and Myles Turner is not what they’re willing to trade two first-round picks for.”