Lakers News: After Inactive Trade Deadline, LA Slips In Week 17 Power Rankings
Despite all the chatter leading up to the NBA trade deadline surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers, the purple and gold didn't make any moves on that front.
It was an uneventful trade deadline; however, the Lakers finished the week with a 2-1 record, which included a tough loss to the Denver Nuggets at home.
Although the Lakers have been playing solid basketball for the past couple of weeks, they saw themselves drop off stand pat in many NBA power rankings.
Many of these people's rankings indicated displeasure with the Lakers' hands-off approach to the NBA trade deadline.
Zach Harper of The Athletic lists the Lakers at No. 17, a one-spot dip:
"The Lakers did nothing at the trade deadline, opting not to send out too much of their future or their 'depth' to go get someone like Dejounte Murray," Harper writes. "Instead, they sign Spencer Dinwiddie in the buyout market and will see if they can avoid the offense cratering when LeBron James isn’t on the floor anymore. Personally, I think the Lakers should worry about future first-round picks much later on and sell out those assets to chase another Finals run. But it’s also possible they look at this team and just don’t think it’s possible to make that run."
Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports drops Los Angeles two spots, making the club No. 13 this week:
"The Lakers didn't make a move at the trade deadline, expressing confidence that their current roster can win a title. Hours after the deadline passed, they received a reminder of just how far away they are in a home loss to Denver. They finished the week on a high note, dropping 139 points in a win over New Orleans."
Finally, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints knocks the Lakers down four spots, also to No. 19:
"The Los Angeles Lakers really needed to make some sort of move to bolster their roster ahead of the trade deadline. No moves were made."
"Now, the Lakers find themselves just one win above .500 on the season, and they are trending down in the NBA Power Rankings. Like the Kings, if Los Angeles is not careful, they will end up missing the playoffs. If they miss the playoffs, LeBron James is gone and will pursue other opportunities in the offseason, with his son Bronny possibly entering the league via the draft. These are trying times for James and the Lakers."
Although Los Angeles was silent through the trade deadline, they were active in the buyout market, adding guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie doesn't move the needle, not even an inch, but the team needed backcourt depth, and they certainly added that.
At the end of the day, the Lakers are two games above .500 and are within striking distance of a top-six seed in the Western Conference. It won't be easy, but if they play to their capabilities, they can beat anyone in the league.
That is a big 'if,' though.
