Lakers appear ‘less likely’ to make significant trade as deadline draws near

When it comes to the NBA trade deadline, there’s no doubt about it, the Los Angeles Lakers have been active. Perhaps you could even say aggressive.

But recent strong play from guard D’Angelo Russell and a lack of draft capital could keep the Lakers from making a deal before the 3 p.m. EST deadline, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

”I think if the Lakers do anything, it’s more likely to be something around the edges than anything involving their core,” Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. 

Reporting on the final hours of the NBA Trade Deadline with @notthefakeSVP pic.twitter.com/iypjnT9TT3

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2024

Russell, 27, has been linked to the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets leading up to the deadline —- but again, his recent strong play will make it difficult to actually move him.

So yes, LA very well could stand mostly Pat. And given that the Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals last season and have played better lately, well, making only a minor move may not be so bad.