Do the Los Angeles Lakers need to make a move before the deadline?

The Los Angeles Lakers have been recently mentioned in several rumors surrounding players probable to change uniform in the near future, and waiving Quinn Cook all but suggests that they actually intend to make a move at some time.

The front office is obviously doing its job, staying active and always exploring possible ways to improve the team, no matter how good it is.

But do the Los Angeles Lakers really need to change anything?

Entering the season, people viewed the Los Angeles Lakers as the deepest team in the league and the clear-cut favorite to win another championship.

After having rejuvenated their roster and expanded the bench with new (and old) talent, LA could certainly count on a group projected to be one of the best in the NBA. And it was confirmed by the start of the season. Number one seed in the league, ranking first in defense and boasting the best record on the road.

At first (but still now) they received criticism for letting big men Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee go in the wake of the acquisitions of Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol. It was feared that they would lose some of their defensive power having given up their shot-blocking.

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A legitimate concern, but, as it turned out, it was not the case, as the Lakers are once again leading the league in blocked shots.

Such a team does not look in need of improvements. Chemistry and continuity are important ingredients to win the championship too.

Although the Lakers have currently lost Anthony Davis and Dennis Schröder to injuries and contact tracing, they do not have to desperately batten down the hatches.

Every team goes through a tough stretch in a season. The Lakers have the good fortune to be able to count on a strong start that gives them the luxury to lose some games without falling too low on the boards and the chance to recover afterward.

Also, many teams lose their stars for parts of the season, that is the norm through (usually) 82-game stretch, but this does not mean they have to immediately find a replacement. Just look at the Los Angeles Clippers, which recently played seven games without Paul George.

Once Anthony David will be ready, LA will have the chance to recoup and will certainly recover their status as the top force in the league. The 2020-21 season will officially be over on July 22. They are here for the long run, not a sprint.

Bottom line, every team, even those that end up winning the championship, go through ups and downs. There is a reason why compiling a 70-win record is such a rarity (if not almost impossible).

Rob Pelinka is doing his due diligence as he is supposed to do. You must never rest in complacency, and never know when the life-changing chance materializes. But it is hard to find a way to effectively improve a team already this good and stacked.

What is really needed is that the players on the roster get rested and healthy, after the short offseason they had (and the improvised All-Star Game does not help), and find the right chemistry and balance on the court. Everything else will follow naturally.