As the Los Angeles Lakers approach the midpoint of their season, critical decisions loom with the trade deadline on February 6. The Lakers are currently 20-17 at press time, which is good enough for seventh place and are tied with the Clippers in the loss column in the Western Conference. The Lakers find themselves at a crossroads and a fork in the road. While their record suggests a respectable start, three consecutive losses during the past week days have exposed some lingering issues.
In a notable roster adjustment, the Lakers traded D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, signaling a focus on defense and bench depth. Finney-Smith, a versatile 3-and-D player, has already drawn praise for his toughness. However, it remains uncertain whether this move alone can propel the Lakers into serious title contention.
Last Monday’s game was dedicated to Los Angeles first responders as the community continues to recover from devastating wildfires, which also led to the postponement of two games. The Lakers returned to action Monday but struggled, falling 126-102 to the Spurs, who dominated the points in the paint 66-40. While the city’s turmoil may have impacted the team’s focus, it’s evident the Lakers have key weaknesses to address.
After the game, Anthony Davis reflected on the broader context: “Win, lose, draw, this game is over, and everything’s still going on in the world. It’s bittersweet in a sense because we still have people dealing with real-life situations, and we get to go out here and play basketball.”
LeBron James and Davis continue to lead the way for the Lakers. At 40, James is averaging 23.7 points per game, with a January uptick to 25. Davis leads the team in scoring 25.9 points per game and nearly all other major categories, recording double-doubles in 13 of his last 14 games. However, the supporting cast, despite flashes of promise from Austin Reaves and young players like Dalton Knecht and Max Christie, hasn’t consistently delivered.
The Lakers’ front office is exploring moves to bolster the roster, targeting a center or guard to strengthen their playoff bid. With James and Davis performing at an elite level, the team has a narrow window to contend, but without further reinforcements, their championship aspirations may falter in a very competitive Western Conference.
The Lakers’ three-game homestand continues Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena against the Miami Heat (20-18) and Friday night against the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m.