Smaller move may be best Lakers can make at trade deadline

A splash would be OK, but it may not go that way.

Instead, the Los Angeles Lakers may end up making a smaller move at the trade deadline — or perhaps no move at all.

That’s the latest from Jovan Buha of The Athletic. The Lakers (27-25) have won three straight and even LeBron James suggested he will ride or die with the current group.

Of course, what he says publically and what he indicates behind the scenes may be two different things entirely.

“Though James has made it clear where he stands and that he’d like for the organization to approach this deadline with the all-in approach he prefers, the likelihood that the Lakers stand pat or make a marginal move has somewhat increased in recent days, according to team and league sources,” Buha wrote.

Guard D’Angelo Russell has been the name mentioned most when it comes to players the Lakers may try to trade. But there doesn’t look to be a whole available that would move he needle for a team that’s hovered around .500 all season.

So perhaps the Lakers will just try to find some bench help. Names such as Detroit Pistons forward Danilo Gallinari and Washington Wizards point guard Tyus Jones would be cheaper options than, say, Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray.

The Lakers have been linked to all three — and many more.

As for James, he’s been saying all the right things. 

“I don’t get caught up in that,” James said, via Buha. “We’re gonna go out and prepare ourselves every single night no matter what it is. No matter who’s out on this team. No matter what. So it’s my job, and it’s (Anthony Davis‘) job as the two captains, to make sure we keep the main thing the main thing. The main focus is now: Thursday’s game at home (vs the Denver Nuggets). And look forward to that matchup.”

Woj: Lakers should temper trade-deadline expectations https://t.co/KyZAHTuL05

— Hoops Wire (@WireHoops) February 6, 2024