The Lakers are taking their time before making any big deals. To better support LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they might instead choose to make lesser transactions to balance out their lineup.

Last year’s journey to the Western Conference Finals provides the necessary context to demonstrate its efficacy.

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, who wrote on January 30 that the person in question ought to be pursued if the same behavior occurs in the coming weeks. “Olynyk is the ideal big man for Ham’s preferred frontcourt lineup because he can play with or without Davis, giving him more control over how his team is matched up against the competition.”

How much interest Olynyk receives from fans around the league would determine that. Future Lakers seconds and Gabe Vincent’s potential worth once he’s well would be fierce competitors, though, because he’s a free agency soon.

If O’Connor were to be traded, the Lakers’ salary cap would increase by roughly $2 million for the current season. But that would take away Vincent’s remaining two seasons and twenty-two million dollars.

If the Lakers need to use their draft capital for that purpose, they can do it.

Celtics receive

Dear Kelly Olynyk,

The jazz musician gets:

The following players were selected in the second round: – Gabe Vincent – 2025 – 2027

The Value of Kelly Olynyk in a Trade

This season for the Utah Jazz, Olynyk, who is 32 years old, has averaged 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He has also shot 43% from beyond the arc, although he has only attempted it 1.7 times. His three-year, $37.2 million deal is coming to an end this year.

The fact that he has played in 46 of Utah’s 48 games speaks volumes about his durability. As of January 30, the Jazz were in tenth place in the Western Conference with a 24-24 record.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Jazz have been more effective when Olynyk is not playing.

As per Cleaning The Glass, their net efficiency differential with Olynyk is -3.7 and when he sits it drops to -2.3. Paying a rotational big guy, 33 years old, is part of the contract’s expiration.

Olynyk may be more appealing to the Lakers than their in-house backup big me𝚗, and that’s before even considering his individual worth.

Dealing with the Lakers’ Backup Big Man Problems Through the Potential Trade of Kelly Olynyk

“Christian Wood seems to have won the bаttle for minutes behind AD,” O’Connor said, adding that the Lakers had given Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood chances during the season. “However, Wood’s 3-point shooting has been lacking compared to previous seasons, and he is still not dependable when it comes to defense.”

A lengthy stint in free agency ended with Wood’s signing with the Lakers.

Head Coach Darvin Ham spoke highly of Wood’s contributions to the starting lineup. However, he has shown inconsistent performance and has been in and out of the rotation on occasion. The Lakers may be in for a rough patch next season due to Wood’s $3 million player option in his $5.7 million, two-year deal.

In place of Davis against the Hawks, Hayes got the nod. The initial year of Hayes’s two-year, $4.6 million deal includes a player option for an additional $2.5 million.

On February 8, the trading deadline will be reached.

In the time leading up to that, the Lakers will play a trio of away games. It might be tough to determine the best course of action with so little time left for a club that has had road struggles.