Terrible News: LeBron James, a major player for the Lakers, was just detained for…

While much of the focus on the Lakers at the trade deadline was on them adding pieces, there was also a potentially more likely scenario that saw them salary dump one of their contracts to drop below the luxury tax line.

Sitting just $1.2 million north of that line, the Lakers needed to just offload effectively any player to drop below that threshold. Surprisingly, the team opted not to even do that, likely because injuries have forced them into needing every player available to them this season.

Players like Christian Wood or Jaxson Hayes, for example, would have made sense to move on from but the Lakers have relied upon them an awful lot this season. One other interesting name came up in discussion, though, in Taurean Prince, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

However, one big, and perhaps predictable, backer helped make the case to keep him.

First, it seems highly unlikely the team legitimately considered moving Prince. Leading up to the trade deadline, many options are presented. As Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka said on Thursday, there are hundreds of calls and permeations of deals they’re discussing.

And as much of a meme as it’s become with regards to Darvin Ham and Prince, the latter has been a valuable piece this season if for no other reason than him being available. Since his move to the bench, particularly, he’s been a much-improved player. That being said, if it was a matter of either trading one of their bigs or a guard/wing, they are deeper in the latter department.

 

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