With weeks to go before the upcoming NBA deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t made a big splash on the market. Because of that, fans are growing nervous that their team won’t commit to any significant trades.
It turns out that fans aren’t the only ones uncomfortable with the current state of the team. LA’s two biggest stars have mixed feelings about what the front office is doing.
Lakers Stars “Concerned” About Team’s Trade Ability
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are “growing concerned” about the Lakers’ ability to upgrade the roster before the February 6 deadline. Like many faithful Los Angeles fans, these two future Hall of Famers think the team is still a piece or two away from being championship contenders again.
Earlier this week, it was reported that general manager Rob Pelinka might only make a few minor tweaks to the lineup. The Athletic’s Jovan Buha stated that there is a “sense” around the league that the Lakers will not make any changes. If they do, they might only be “half-measure” deals instead of pursuing and signing an All-Star A-lister.
If that’s the case, James and Davis’ concern will likely only grow. The Lakers have shown glimpses of greatness all season. Yet they remain the sixth seed in the Western Conference. If the playoffs started today, the team would gain entry into the postseason. But, they would face a slew of tough teams that could push them out in the first round again.
There are numerous analysts and fans who think the Lakers can’t return to the Finals unless they add a blockbuster third option next to James and Davis.
The Troubling Trade Market
One of the biggest problems facing a Lakers trade is that this year’s market isn’t filled with ample talent to choose from. The biggest and most realistic target out there right now might be Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets. However, the competition for him is fierce. Plus, it could require the Lakers give up their coveted first-round draft picks.
The Lakers would prefer to hold onto their high-value picks. With that being said, they’d be willing to part ways with the second-rounders they have. Those second-round assets probably wouldn’t bring Los Angeles the sort of talent that will move the needle.
Pelinka and his staff already made one deal this year, acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton from the Brooklyn Nets. Finney-Smith has looked like a good fit for the Lakers so far. However, he is seen as a lateral move instead of one that takes them to the next level.
Despite urgency coming from the team’s biggest stars, the front office doesn’t have a lot of options they can pursue. Instead, they could stick with the team they have now. There is hope the Lakers might get better once Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood return to the floor after their lengthy injuries, and they are heading in the right direction with Vanderbilt cleared to play.
This isn’t the first time the Lakers have been at a trade market crossroads. Just last season, Pelinka didn’t make any big deals. The season before, the Lakers underwent a big transformation and acquired Russell, Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura, which turned things around for LA and helped them go far into the playoffs. Those trades appeared minor to some, but they ultimately paid off. Perhaps Pelinka will take that approach to the trade deadline this year.
James and Davis are concerned, but that may not persuade Pelinka to pursue major trades.
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