The Los Angeles Lakers currently hold a 14-12 record and are positioned as the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference after their recent 116-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday night.

Los Angeles’ scoring responsibilities were solely taken care of by nine-time All-Star center Anthony Davis, as his 40 points and 16 rebounds led the way as the team captured one of their most impressive victories of the young season.

Highlights: Jerzy Robinson leads Sierra Canyon over Vanden in high school girls basketball

Though Davis did plenty to drag his team across the finish line, the Lakers’ center contributions began and ended with Davis’ explosive night. This has been a recurring issue throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

The Lakers’ lacking frontcourt depth has been a consistent detriment to their success. Their most trusted reserve center Jaxson Hayes has been out for an extended period of time with an ankle injury, and Christian Wood has missed considerable time after undergoing knee surgery prior to the season.

It’s been suggested that Los Angeles may be buyers at the trade deadline, with the team looking to bolster their center depth in order to make a deep postseason run with Davis and LeBron James playing some of their best basketball as a tandem.

Specifically, recent reports have indicated their interest in a veteran 6-foot-11 center from the lowly Washington Wizards averaging 12.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in only 19.7 minutes this season.

“The buzziest name in league circles, who’s been attached to the Lakers dating back to the summer, is Washington Wizards center Jonas Valančiūnas,” wrote Senior NBA reporter for the Athletic Jovan Buha Tuesday morning.

“Valančiūnas was on James’ list of players he’d be willing to take a pay cut for over the offseason, as The Athletic reported over the summer, signifying how highly James viewed him as a conceivable fit.”

It makes plenty of sense for a player of James’ caliber to have recognized Valančiūnas’ talent over the past several years, as the two have plenty of experience as adversaries when Valančiūnas was a member of the Toronto Raptors playing opposite James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in a number of postseason matchups.

This acquisition would be a dream come true for both Los Angeles and Davis, as they have desired a reserve center of Valančiūnas’ caliber for several seasons.

“Davis has long wanted more reliable center help alongside him in the frontcourt,’ Buha added in his recent update.

In order for Los Angeles to land Valančiūnas, their general manager Rob Pelinka would likely have to give up a mix of contracts and young prospects.

A likely package would include salaries like that of Jarred Vanderbilt’s or Gabe Vincent’s along with guard Jalen Hood-Schifino as the main prospect piece in the deal.

After starting the season off strong, the Los Angeles Lakers have struggled over the past few weeks. They currently sit 10th in the Western Conference standings with a 14-12 record.

Due to their struggles, the Lakers are expected to try and upgrade their roster before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. With Anthony Davis playing well and LeBron James still going strong in his 22nd season, they can only carry Los Angeles so far without production from the rest of their roster.

There have been reports that the Lakers have been interested in a duo from the Portland Trail Blazers. According to The Athletics’ Jovan Buha, the Lakers have been linked to both Jerami Grant and Robert Williams III. This report comes a day after Forbes’ Evan Sidery reported that the Blazers’ asking price for Grant has lowered.

In a possible trade, the Lakers could send Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino and draft capital to Portland for Grant and Williams. For the Blazers, they would add some young talent to their roster as they continue to undergo a rebuild.

By acquiring Grant, the Lakers would add a great scorer and defender. The 30-year-old has struggled this season, as he is averaging 16.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 39.4% from the field and 38.4% from three.

A change of scenery could help with Grant’s struggles. He would also become the third option in Los Angeles, which would take the pressure off him.

Williams III would also be a great acquisition for the Lakers. He is a reliable inside scorer and an elite defender. So far this season the 27-year-old has played just eight games due to injuries, which has been a recurring theme over his career. When he is healthy though, he is one of the most underrated defenders in the NBA.

By making this trade, the Lakers would upgrade both their starting lineup and their depth, which could help them make a run in the playoffs as long as they are able to stay healthy.

The Los Angeles Lakers are a team to keep an eye on as the NBA trade deadline approaches.

After a hot start to the season, the Lakers have cooled off over the past few weeks. While the team has cooled off, trade rumors surrounding the franchise have heated up. Most of the rumors have centered around the possibility of Los Angeles trading away their superstar forward, LeBron James. While that is unlikely, it could still happen.

Instead of trading LeBron, the Lakers could look to the Washington Wizards to help upgrade their roster. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers have been linked to the Wizards’ duo of Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valančiūnas.

In a possible trade, the Lakers could send D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jalen Hood-Schifino to Washington for Kuzma, Valančiūnas and Malcolm Brogdon. With the Wizards rebuilding, swapping veterans for young talent and tradeable assets would benefit them as they continue to build for the future.

By adding this trio, the Lakers would greatly improve their odds of making a run in the playoffs. Kuzma has had a down season but could heat up if he were to return to Los Angeles. The 29-year-old has proven to be an elite scorer, but he does lack good defensive play.

Valančiūnas has been one of the most underrated centers in the NBA over the past few seasons. The 32-year-old is averaging 12.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game off the bench in Washington this season. By pairing him next to Anthony Davis in the frontcourt, the Lakers would have no problem scoring in the paint. The downfall of Valančiūnas is his poor defense, but Davis should be able to make up for it.

Brogdon has been in trade rumors for most of the season. With the Lakers lacking a true point guard, the 32-year-old would immediately fill that role. Since returning from injury this season, the former Rookie of the Year winner is averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

While this trade does not make the Lakers the favorite in the West, it would help improve their lineup and could lead to a deep playoff run as long as their star players are able to stay healthy down the stretch.

The Los Angeles Lakers are a team to keep an eye on as the NBA trade deadline approaches.

After a hot start to the season, the Lakers have cooled off over the past few weeks. While the team has cooled off, trade rumors surrounding the franchise have heated up. Most of the rumors have centered around the possibility of Los Angeles trading away their superstar forward, LeBron James. While that is unlikely, it could still happen.

Highlights: Jerzy Robinson leads Sierra Canyon over Vanden in high school girls basketball

Instead of trading LeBron, the Lakers could look to the Washington Wizards to help upgrade their roster. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers have been linked to the Wizards’ duo of Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valančiūnas.

In a possible trade, the Lakers could send D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jalen Hood-Schifino to Washington for Kuzma, Valančiūnas and Malcolm Brogdon. With the Wizards rebuilding, swapping veterans for young talent and tradeable assets would benefit them as they continue to build for the future.

By adding this trio, the Lakers would greatly improve their odds of making a run in the playoffs. Kuzma has had a down season but could heat up if he were to return to Los Angeles. The 29-year-old has proven to be an elite scorer, but he does lack good defensive play.

Valančiūnas has been one of the most underrated centers in the NBA over the past few seasons. The 32-year-old is averaging 12.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game off the bench in Washington this season. By pairing him next to Anthony Davis in the frontcourt, the Lakers would have no problem scoring in the paint. The downfall of Valančiūnas is his poor defense, but Davis should be able to make up for it.

Brogdon has been in trade rumors for most of the season. With the Lakers lacking a true point guard, the 32-year-old would immediately fill that role. Since returning from injury this season, the former Rookie of the Year winner is averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

While this trade does not make the Lakers the favorite in the West, it would help improve their lineup and could lead to a deep playoff run as long as their star players are able to stay healthy down the stretch.

Despite reports that the Miami Heat are looking to trade Jimmy Butler ahead of the NBA trade deadline, history points to the Pat Riley-led squad holding the line and trying to improve before another deep playoff run. Famously, the Heat refuse to tank, and unless they can add a player to replace Butler’s production, it’s unlikely that they wave the white flag.

At 13-11, the Heat are comfortably in the playoff picture and, at present, will have a first-round matchup with the New York Knicks. With no reason to trade Butler other than the fact that he is likely to opt out of his contract, the Heat still need to make a move to improve, but it could be an internal roster change.

Highlights: Jerzy Robinson leads Sierra Canyon over Vanden in high school girls basketball

With two perennial All-Defensive players rostered between Butler and Bam Adebayo, it’s odd that the Heat rank only tenth in defensive rating. A deeper look at the numbers suggests that their internal defense needs to be addressed.

Currently, Miami ranks 14th in rebounding, 26th in second-chance points, 16th in points in the paint allowed, and dead last in blocks per game. On top of that, they allow their opponents to show 65.1% in the restricted area.

Butler and Adebayo do their best defensive work in space, and while Adebayo is a solid rim protector, his versatility is his calling card. It’s very clear that Miami needs to upgrade its interior defense, but players like Walker Kessler, Jonathan Isaac and Isaiah Stewart have not been linked to them, and for good reason.

The solution to their problems is sitting on their bench. Picked 15th overall by the Heat in 2024, rookie Kel’el Ware holds his opponents to 50% shooting in the restricted area and only 36.4% in the paint on 60 total attempts. Those numbers are elite and are complemented even more by his 2.6 blocks per 36 minutes and 3.6 blocks per 100 possessions. Those measurements are not a perfect indicator of his defensive impact, but in his second NCAA season, he averaged an impressive 1.9 blocks and 0.6 steals with the Indiana Hoosiers.

Both he and Adebayo can shoot the ball and space the floor to some degree on offense, but Ware is only averaging 6.9 garbage-time minutes in ten games. He and Adebayo are yet to share the court this season.

While this is not a call for Ware to be immediately elevated to the starting lineup, the Cleveland Cavaliers boast a solid 110.7 defensive rating, and they often play two centers. For the Heat to improve their glaring areas of weakness, the numbers point to Ware needing a promotion in Erik Spoelstra’s rotation.

The Los Angeles Lakers improved to a 14-12 record after their most recent 116-110 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday night, a contest where the Lakers’ five-time All-NBA selection Anthony Davis poured in 40 points and notched 16 rebounds.

Davis’ incredible night led the Lakers to a win, but the franchise’s placement as the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference is surely frightening with both Davis and LeBron James playing wonderfully to begin the season.

Highlights: Jerzy Robinson leads Sierra Canyon over Vanden in high school girls basketball

One of the biggest issues this team has faced regards their inability to receive production from anywhere outside of James, Davis or the occasional offensive outburst from their No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Dalton Knecht.

This is especially apparent for their point guard depth, as the drastic regression of both D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent has persisted.

To remedy this situation and gain some positive production from the team’s lead guards, the Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka could try to acquire a gifted one-on-one scoring threat from all areas of the court from the Portland Trail Blazers.

Anfernee Simons was selected by Portland with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, and he’s since blossomed into an effective scorer with deep range from behind the three-point line. This season, recently proposed trades have Simons landing with Los Angeles in exchange for struggling veterans and future draft capital.

“Adding Anfernee Simons to the roster would give the Lakers a young, electrifying scorer who can complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis,” wrote Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar on Tuesday morning.

“Simons is also just 25 years old, making him a piece the Lakers can build around for the future.”

Bitar’s proposed transaction sends Simons to the Lakers in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and a future first-round pick, a perfect arrangement of financial assets and draft compensation that would surely tempt Portland’s front office.

Simons contributed a career-best scoring percentage for Portland last season in just 46 appearances, averaging 22.6 points and 5.5 assists on a respectable 56.8% true shooting percentage. His 38.5% accuracy on 8.8 attempts from distance also proved he could be efficient on a higher shot volume.

Though his figures this season have taken a slight dip, this could be attributed to his lessened playing time and shot attempts as Portland could be working on a deal to ship Simons to a contender.

The acquisition of Simons to Los Angeles gives James and Davis a crafty shot-maker who can create space with an endless arsenal of hesitations, quick crossovers and slithery finishing moves at the rim.