With several teams were wheeling and dealing, the Lakers, mired in a slump with struggling players and challenging contracts, will instead scan the buyout market
Around them, the NBA rattled and shook. Stars were moved swiftly, like chips at the poker table, with a number of teams making their all-in bids. But at the trade deadline, which passed Thursday at noon, the Los Angeles Lakers merely stood still. A morning of phone calls didn’t lead to any moves for the 26-30 Lakers, despite their nose-diving record and pressure from fans and even their own players to shake up a faltering roster. At ninth place in the Western Conference, the Lakers are expected to pivot toward the buyout market to try to add an impact player – as long as they clear a roster spot. But the largest fissures and problems with the underachieving Lakers remain unresolved. The team ranks No.22 in offense, No.17 in defense and has gone 3-7 in their last 10 games. Their star offseason acquisition, Russell Westbrook, is mired in a slump and not closing games – which has him at odds with the team’s coaching staff led by Frank Vogel. Even without Westbrook in the lineup Wednesday, the Lakers couldn’t beat the Portland Trail Blazers, who were caught shorthanded in the middle of major trades that left players such as Trendon Watford and Keljin Blevins playing significant minutes. After taking accountability for turnovers and other mistakes that led to the loss, LeBron James – a four-time MVP and four-time champion – admitted to feeling “tired” and that the Lakers were burdened by the uncertainty of the trade deadline and their own inconsistent play. “Obviously this is something that’s weighing on this group that we’re all trying to get through,” he said. “Almost feels like it’s a fog, just fog in the air. And we’re all trying to see what’s on the other side of it.
