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The LA Lakers could end the season with their current roster. LA is 14-21, ranked 13th in the Western Conference. The team looks far more off-pace than their rivals. The Lakers have been rumored to make moves since this past offseason, but they could stand pat.
According to the LA Times' Dan Woike, the 17-time NBA champions are giving "serious consideration" to not making a trade at the deadline. Here's what Woike reported:
“Internally, sources said, there’s been serious consideration given to riding out the season without making a major deal if they can’t find one that would make the team a realistic contender."
On Media Day, Rob Pelinka stated that the team would make the necessary moves to improve their roster around LeBron James. However, he also said the team's lack of draft capital would see the front office patiently assess their options.
The Lakers only have two first-round picks (2027 and 2029) at their disposal. While Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and Kendrick Nunn's contracts are the most tradeable, none of the three players have much value in the market.
The LA Lakers spent all their trade assets acquiring Anthony Davis (2019) and Westbrook (2021). The team is in a fix with Davis out indefinitely due to injury. Meanwhile, the Lakers have dropped seven games behind the .500 mark, with the midway point of the season only seven games away.
The Lakers don't seem to be assured that they will turn things around even if they trade their remaining assets and surround the team's superstars with a competitive roster.
Click here to read Dan Woike's full report on the LA Lakers trade approach.
LeBron James' post-game rants hint rumors circling the LA Lakers' approach to trades could be true
LeBron James has cut a passive figure reflecting on the LA Lakers' roster construction struggles. However, the two-time MVP hasn't held back his thoughts after the team's last two losses. Following the 134-130 home loss against the Hornets, James issued a grim response when asked if the Lakers would bounce back after hitting rock bottom again. He said:
"How many times are you going to dig yourself out until you have too much dirt on you?"
James' latest comments on the Lakers' situation after the 112-98 loss against the Miami Heat were more concerning about his future with the Purple and Gold. While answering a question about how long he wishes to play, James told reporters that he still wants to fight for championships and doesn't want to play for the sake of it.
"I wanna win and give myself a chance to win and still compete for championships," said James. "That's always been my passion...my goal. Once you get there and know how to get there, playing basketball at this level just to be playing basketball is just not in my DNA anymore."
The Lakers, as presently constructed, could fail to qualify for the play-in tournament. They lack 3-point shooters and length on the front court, which could hamper their chances of doing well this season.
Meanwhile, LeBron James continues to play at a high level, averaging 28.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, shooting 49.8% from the field. Last season, he averaged 30.3 points per game, but the LA Lakers failed to qualify for the play-in tournament. A well-equipped roster around him could've made a difference for the Lakers during the last and current season.
