NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers avoiding blockbuster move to prioritize future first-round picks over superstar trade
Ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, the LA Lakers have already made some upgrades to the roster. Still, with about two weeks to go, one insider touched on whether Rob Pelinka is going to pursue any more upgrades.
After not making any changes in the offseason, LA went through a major shake-up amid the regular season. The front office parted ways with D'Angelo Russell, trading him to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
In a recent column for The Athletic, Lakers insider Jovan Buah touched on if more deals are coming between now and February 6. He stated that if they do, it will be something small as opposed to a massive splash.
"The sense around the league, when talking to rival scouts and front-office personnel, is that standing pat or making a half-measure trade (likely one or two second-round picks) is more likely than the Lakers going all-in and trading both of their future first-round picks that can be moved. That’s dependent, of course, on the available players, asking prices and the team’s performance through the deadline."
At the halfway point in the regular season, LA finds themselves near the top of the Western Conference standings. Led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they sit in sixth place with a 22-18 record.
LeBron James indirectly sends message to LA Lakers front office ahead of trade deadline
At this stage in his career, LeBron James' top priority in the NBA is contending for a championship. As the trade deadline slowly gets closer, the 20-time All-Star seems to have sent a stern message to the Lakers' front office.
On Sunday, LeBron and company suffered a 116-102 loss at the hands of the LA Clippers. After the game, the star forward was asked about the team's small margin for error and needing to play near-perfect basketball to win. LeBron stated that it's something they can't avoid due to how the roster is constructed.
"That's how our team is contstructed, we don't have room for error for much right here," LeBron said. "We don't have a choice, that how our team is constructed. We have to play close to perfect basketball."
Even with the new additions to the roster, LeBron doesn't seem fully sold on the Lakers. Only time will tell if Rob Pelinka acts following this remark and seeks more upgrades at the deadline.
In recent weeks, LA has been linked to numerous players in rumors. One area they could look to improve in the margins is the backup center. Seeing that Christian Wood has yet to play this season, the roster is thin in the frontcourt.