LeBron James and Anthony Davis Anxious About Lakers' Trade Deadline Prospects
With the Los Angeles Lakers facing the possibility of once again having to navigate the play-in tournament just to reach the postseason, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are expressing unease about the team's chances of making significant moves before the trade deadline.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, James and Davis are "growing concerned" about the Lakers' ability to make "significant" additions before the February 6th deadline.
Charania's report follows a piece by The Athletic's Jovan Buha, who wrote on Tuesday that the "sense" from people around the NBA is that the Lakers are more likely to either stand pat or make a "half-measure" deal rather than try to go all-in.
The Lakers have first-round picks available in 2029 and 2031 that they could include in a trade, but they have been reluctant to use those picks in the past.
General manager Rob Pelinka told reporters in September that the team would need to get a return that helps them achieve "sustained Lakers excellence" in order to move those draft picks.
Charania noted that both James and Davis have expressed their desire for the front office to make moves because they believe the Lakers are "potentially a piece or two away" from competing for a championship.
Limited Trade Options for the Lakers
A significant challenge for the Lakers—and any team trying to make a big in-season addition—is that there don't seem to be many significant needle-moving players available right now.
Jimmy Butler is one of the best players who could potentially be available, but there has been no indication that the Lakers are even trying to get in on the bidding for the six-time All-Star.
Another potential target, Cam Johnson, would be a good fit for any contender as a wing defender shooting 41.9 percent from three-point range, but the trade market for him is expected to be very competitive.
Dorian Finney-Smith Addition Provides Depth
The Lakers already made a deal with the Brooklyn Nets to address their wing depth by acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith on December 29th. He is starting to get comfortable in his new home, averaging 7.1 points on 41.9 percent three-point shooting in eight games off the bench.
Heading into Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics, the Lakers (23-18) hold a one-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. They have made the playoffs out of the play-in tournament each of the past two seasons.
Conclusion
With the trade deadline approaching, the Lakers find themselves in a difficult position. James and Davis are expressing concerns about the team's chances of making a deep playoff run, but there are limited trade options available that could significantly improve the roster.
The Lakers will need to make a decision soon on whether to stand pat or make a move that could potentially alter their championship hopes.