Los Angeles Lakers Facing Unease Over Trade Deadline
As the NBA trade deadline approaches on February 6th, Los Angeles Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis have expressed concerns about the team's ability to make significant roster additions. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, James and Davis are "growing concerned" about the Lakers' chances of making a big move before the deadline.
Lack of Needle-Moving Players on the Market
One of the challenges facing the Lakers is the limited availability of impact players in the trade market. While Jimmy Butler is a highly coveted player, there has been no indication that the Lakers are actively pursuing a deal for him. Another potential target, Cam Johnson, is also attracting interest from multiple contenders.
Lakers Hesitant to Use Future Draft Picks
The Lakers possess two first-round picks, in 2029 and 2031, that they could use as trade bait. However, the team has been reluctant to part with these assets in the past. General manager Rob Pelinka has stated that any trade involving those picks must bring back a player who can help the Lakers achieve sustained success.
Recent Acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith
In December, the Lakers acquired Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets in an attempt to address their wing depth. Finney-Smith has shown promise in his new role, averaging over 7 points per game on 41.9% shooting from three-point range.
Concern Over Play-In Tournament
James and Davis are reportedly eager for the Lakers to make moves because they believe the team is close to contending for a championship. The Lakers have qualified for the playoffs via the play-in tournament in each of the past two seasons, but they are currently only one game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference.
Conclusion
With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Lakers find themselves in a difficult position. Despite the concerns of their star players, the team may be limited in its ability to make significant roster changes due to the lack of available players and their reluctance to use future draft picks.