2. Los Angeles Lakers
There isn’t a team that has fallen short of expectations coming into the season as much as the Los Angeles Lakers. Many believed they were a shoo-in to be the representative for the Western Conference in the NBA Finals, but they will be lucky just to qualify for the postseason.
The Lakers arecurrently 25-28 on the season and in ninth place. Had it not been for the ineptitude of the teams behind them in the standings, the Lakers would easily be on the outside looking in of even the Play-In Tournament. For reference, they would be in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, a game behind the 10th place Atlanta Hawks.
Finding a move to make, however, is easier said than done. Rob Pelinka went all-in when he acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. The team is lacking assets, so the chances of making an impact trade are slim to none.
However, the front office needs to turn over every stone when it comes to upgrading the roster. LeBron James is in the midst of another dominant season but it is at risk of going to waste. This could be the third time in four seasons of having James on the roster that the Lakers don’t look like a contender.
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This is a team in need of a move, any move. They have to try something to turn their production around and including their 2027 first-round pick may be the only way to do that.
