In a whirlwind of trades following the NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers narrowly avoided a potentially detrimental acquisition by not securing Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Porzingis, a former All-Star, has proven to be an effective player, averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game last season. Yet, his injury history raises concerns, having played only 42 games last year and missing an entire season due to an ACL tear in 2018.

While the Lakers showed interest, their decision to step back might prove wise given Porzingis' fragility. Relying on another injury-prone player alongside Anthony Davis could have exacerbated the challenges in maintaining a healthy roster, especially after their experiences with previous injury setbacks. The risk-to-reward ratio simply did not favor such a move.