The NBA trade deadline is looming, and that means it's time to decide who the pretenders and the contenders are.
While certain teams would boost their roster for a postseason push, others will have to potentially concede the season, playing it safe rather than pushing it all in for 2024.
It shouldn't be a surprise that the Lakers are one of the most intriguing clubs to watch for with the deadline fast approaching. As long as LeBron James is on the roster, Los Angeles is expected to contend for titles, but the team will need to tinker if that is the case.
The Lakers wrapped up their final game on the schedule ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, taking down the Hornets 124-118 to improve to 27-25 on the season, good for ninth in the Western Conference. Los Angeles has ripped off three wins in a row to creep back over .500, going 4-2 on the recent six-game road trip. Now it is up to the front office to make some moves.
MORE: Why is LeBron James called LeGM?
There has been a ton of buzz surrounding the Lakers and potential deadline targets — including potential deals involving James. While 99 percent of players don't have any influence on the roster moves, James is not your typical NBA employee.
So it's not surprising to see James being asked questions about the Lakers' plans at the deadline. However, the four-time NBA champ turned aside those inquiries, instead stating that he is putting his faith in those currently on the roster.
"It's not a question for me," James said after Monday's win. "I love who we have in the locker room. And that's all I worry about.
"We're going to go out and prepare ourselves every single night no matter what it is. No matter who's out on this team. No matter what."
Feb. 8 is the last day NBA teams will be able to make deals before the unofficial second half of the season commences. Fans will have to wait and see what Rob Pelinka's approach is for the Lakers.
MORE: Lakers trade deadline primer: Can Los Angeles strike gold again?
Trade deadline deals involving LeBron James' teams
Note: deals outlined do not include draft capital or details involving players/teams unaffiliated with James.
NBA trade deadline 2008
Cavaliers trade
- Adrian Griffin, Donyell Marshall and Ira Newble (to SuperSonics)
- Shannon Brown, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes and Cedric Simmons (to Bulls)
Cavaliers receive
- Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West (from SuperSonics)
- Joe Smith and Ben Wallace (from Bulls)
NBA trade deadline 2010
Cavaliers trade
- Zydrunas Ilgauskas (to Wizards)
Cavaliers receive
- Antawn Jamison (from Wizards)
- Sebastian Telfair (from Clippers)
NBA trade deadline 2016
Cavaliers trade
- Anderson Varejao (to Trail Blazers)
- Jared Cunningham (to Magic)
Cavaliers receive
- Channing Frye (from Magic)
NBA trade deadline 2018
Cavaliers trade
- Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose (to Jazz)
- Dimitrios Agravanis and Iman Shumpert (to Kings)
Cavaliers receive
- Rodney Hood (from Jazz)
- Arturas Gudaitis and George Hill (from Kings)
Cavaliers trade
- Channing Frye and Isaiah Thomas (to Lakers)
Cavaliers receive
- Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. (from Lakers)
Cavaliers trade
- Dwyane Wade (to Heat)
NBA trade deadline 2023
Lakers trade
- Patrick Beverley (to Magic)
- Thomas Bryant (to Nuggets)
Lakers receive
- Mo Bamba (from Magic)
- Davon Reed (from Nuggets)
Lakers trade
- Damian Jones, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Russell Westbrook (to Jazz)
Lakers receive
- D'Angelo Russell (from Timberwolves)
- Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt (from Jazz)
