The Los Angeles Lakers are rapidly approaching a trade deadline that could go a long way toward defining the future of the franchise. Superstar players Anthony Davis and LeBron James are nearing the end of their fruitful partnership, with the latter's age prompting questions about retirement.
If the Lakers are going to maximize the championship window that their All-NBA co-stars have opened for them, then they'll need to act fast—and Davis and James are hoping they will.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made an impact trade at the end of December, bringing 3-and-D specialist Dorian Finney-Smith to Los Angeles. The general consensus is that work remains, however, if the purple and gold intend to evolve from postseason-caliber into a championship hopeful.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Davis and James are worried about whether or not the Lakers intend to make a significant move ahead of the trade deadline.
"But with the Feb. 6 trade deadline a little more than two weeks away, league sources told ESPN that James and Davis are growing concerned about the Lakers' ability to make significant roster upgrades with their two tradeable first-rounders."
Pelinka is seemingly aware of his superstars' hopes and concerns, and is willing to honor their requests—if it fits the long-term vision the team has for sustainable success.
"The Lakers have done their due diligence in trade interest around the league, and are open to using their tradeable first-round picks for players who are a fit for this iteration of the Davis-James team as well as for several years to come under Redick, sources said. "
In other words: The Lakers are open to helping Davis and James pursue their second championship since 2020, but only if it doesn't sabotage their plans for sustained success.
AD, LeBron putting pressure on Lakers, but Rob Pelinka staying course
At the midway point of the 2024-25 regular season, the Lakers are better than most expected them to be. At 23-18, they're on pace to qualify for the playoffs without having to go through the Play-In Tournament—a luxury they haven't been able to secure since the controversial format's inception.
Los Angeles is also just 4.5 games behind the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, which would certainly imply that they're the right trade away from truly contending.
That likely adds fuel to the fire that's raging within the Lakers' locker room. Davis and James continue to perform at All-NBA levels, but the reality of age, Father Time, and the limitations that arise from both are taking hold on all fronts.
The players are seemingly looking for an opportunity to make a last-ditch effort to win a championship, while the front office is hoping to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Los Angeles has traded away three first-round draft picks since 2020. The primary players they acquired were D'Angelo Russell, Dennis Schröder, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Russell Westbrook—three of whom are no longer on the roster.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, has appeared in just 29 games since the start of the 2023-24 regular season and is a speculative trade piece in 2025.
It's possible that Davis and James are aiming higher than a talented player with a noteworthy name, however, in 2025. They could very well have their eye on an All-Star talent such as Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine, although reports of the Lakers' interest have been scarce since his injury in 2023-24.
It's entirely unclear what the Lakers intend to do about their superstars' preferred approach to the trade deadline, but Pelinka appears to be holding steady and committing to a sustainable approach to success.
One simply can't help but feel as though something has to give.