NBA Trade 2018-19 Review: Los Angeles Lakers - Muscala & Bullock Added, Anthony Davis Saga & more

#3 Players they should have aimed for as potential deadline steals

Gasol and Conley were put on the open market by the Grizzlies in time.

Driven by the following belief - highly dependant on LeBron's playoff superpowers - Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office gunned for shooters to stretch the floor, rather than placing their chips in line to land the Grizzlies veterans that had been released after at least 10 seasons from Memphis.

"We just felt like if we tweaked our roster a little bit from a chemistry standpoint and added some shooting, we can just make that push for that eighth spot or seventh spot, get into the playoffs and then let a player like LeBron do what he does in the playoffs."

What they needed was some legit veteran talent, and the pairing of Conley-Gasol is one that has been tested and proven to perfection time and again.

Another possible deal that did not go through involved Carmelo Anthony. The Lakers are yet to take advantage of the buyout market as the trade deadline now stands expired.

The Lakers plan to evaluate the full buyout market once it takes shape, but Carmelo Anthony is expected to be among the considerations too, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019