The Los Angeles Lakers are riding high in 2023. Things got ugly for the Lake Show but have since turned around in the new year as the team is on a five-game win streak that has not only kept them afloat without Anthony Davis but has put them right back in the mix.
After beating the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, the Lakers are 19-21 and are only 1.5 games back of the sixth seed. The backend playoff picture in the Western Conference is crowded and the Lakers could really shoot up the standings if they continue to play hot.
This strong play, coupled with the trade deadline being around the corner, has made this a prominent time for Lakers news. This is especially true with LeBron James putting pressure on the franchise publically.
Lakers news roundup:
- LeBron James publically puts pressure on the Lakers, leaving a not-so-cryptic quote for the front office to digest. As he was walking away at the end of an interview, LeBron said “Y’all know what the F— should be happening. I don’t need to talk.” (h/t Sam Amick, The Athletic). LeBron is averaging 34.3 points, 7.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds since Anthony Davis got injured.
- According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Patrick Beverley may want to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves this season. Fischer “heard from various people that (Beverley) definitely would like to go back to Minnesota”.
- Thomas Bryant put together a historic showing on Saturday night. Bryant scored 29 points with 14 rebounds and made 86% of his shots. That is the 45th time in NBA history a player has scored 29 with 14 boards and shot 86%. Bryant is the 28th player to accomplish the feat in league history.
LeBron James on Thomas Bryant:
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) January 8, 2023
"He's taking full advantage of his opportunity. He's a guy that plays really hard, knows how to play and is probably one of the most skilled big men in the game."
LeBron adds that he's definitely had visions of what he, AD and TB can look like.
NBA news roundup:
- De’Aaron Fox took to Twitter to complain about not getting a foul call on his game-tying attempt at the end of Saturday’s contest against the Lakers. Fox later deleted the tweet.
- Fred VanVleet, who has become a prominent name in NBA trade rumors, reportedly turned down a four-year, $114 million contract extension from the Toronto Raptors before the 2022-23 season.
- Kenyon Martin Jr. has committed for the dunk contest, making him the second player to commit to partaking in this year’s event. He will join Shaedon Sharpe.
And perhaps the best news of all — the Los Angeles Lakers currently have the longest winning streak in the entire NBA at five games. They will look to extend the winning streak to six against the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
NBA trade rumors: 3 packages the Lakers can trade for Cam Reddish
Cam Reddish might be the no. 1 target on the Los Angeles Lakers' radar at the deadline. Here are three different trades LA can make to secure him.