Los Angeles Lakers Stay Quiet at NBA Trade Deadline: What Does it Mean for the Team’s Playoff Chances?
The Los Angeles Lakers made headlines at the NBA trade deadline, but not for the reasons fans were hoping. While other teams were making moves to bolster their rosters, the Lakers chose to stay quiet. This decision has left many wondering what it means for the team’s playoff chances.
Last season, the Lakers surprised everyone by making it to the Western Conference finals as the No. 7 seed. With championship expectations entering this season, the team has struggled to find their footing. Currently, they are one game above .500 and sitting in ninth place in the standings.
Did the Lakers just give up on the rest of the season? With teams like Oklahoma City, Denver, Minnesota, and the Los Angeles Clippers nine games ahead of them, it’s hard to see how they can make up the ground. However, Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka insists that the right deal wasn’t available.
“You can’t buy a house that’s not for sale,” Pelinka told reporters. He explained that he wasn’t willing to give up their only first-round pick available in a trade for marginal help. Instead, he believes that after the season, when the Lakers have three first-round picks to trade, they will have a better chance of making a significant move.
LeBron James, the face of the franchise, was consulted before the trade deadline. Pelinka discussed the marketplace with him, explaining that there were many buyers and aggressive prices. However, even James is unsure how far the team can go in the playoffs. When asked about their chances, he simply replied, “I don’t know.”
The uncertainty surrounding James’ future with the Lakers adds another layer of intrigue to the situation. At 39 years old, he is still playing at an All-Star level and his decisions have a significant impact on the league. James has one year and $51.4 million left on his contract, but he has the option to explore free agency.
Reading James’ “tea leaves” has become a popular pastime for fans and analysts alike. Recently, he posted an emoji of an hourglass, leaving fans to speculate about its meaning. Will he exercise the final season of his contract or become a free agent? Only time will tell.
There is pressure on the Lakers to capitalize on what James and Anthony Davis bring to the table. Since signing James in 2018, the team has made the playoffs three out of five seasons. They won the NBA title in 2020, their first since 2010, and tied the Boston Celtics for the most championships at 17.
However, the Lakers are not satisfied with just one title. Like the Celtics, they have a championship-or-bust mentality. Despite their success, they have yet to make it past the conference finals with James. This season, their defensive and offensive rankings are not up to par, making it difficult to envision them as true contenders.
The Lakers did attempt to make a trade before the deadline. They engaged in discussions with the Atlanta Hawks regarding Dejounte Murray, but a deal never materialized. Pelinka believes that sometimes no move is better than an unwise move. It seems that other teams were not interested in what the Lakers had to offer, and the Lakers were not willing to part with what other teams wanted.
Looking ahead, the Lakers hope to get healthy and make a serious push in the playoffs. They will also explore the buyout market for scoring help. However, all eyes are on the 2024-25 season. James has until June 29 to decide on his option, and the NBA Draft takes place on June 27-28. The Lakers will have a better understanding of their situation heading into free agency and will have first-round picks to trade.
The big question remains: Will these moves be enough to improve the roster and compete in the highly competitive Western Conference? And more importantly, will it be enough for James? As fans eagerly await the answers, one thing is for certain – the Lakers’ playoff chances hang in the balance.