Can LeBron Pressure the Lakers into a Big Trade at the Deadline? Will D'Angelo Russell move?

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, and for the time being at least things are looking kinda quiet. The Lakers are still connected to just about every player on the market (Atlanta's Dejounte Murray, Toronto's Bruce Brown, Chicago's DeMar DeRozan, Brooklyn's forward combo of Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O'Neale) but that doesn't necessarily mean there will be much action. It's a seller's market, and the prizes aren't automatically worth a major premium. In a perfect world, the Lakers could add one of the players above without giving up a significant member of the rotation (or critical draft capital), but that's not the world in which we live. So will they make a deal for Murray, and send (likely) D'Angelo Russell packing (again)? Could they pull smaller deals to add depth and make a run basically with what they've got? How aggressive should they be? On the one hand, they've got a little momentum, and have shown the ability to beat anyone. On the other... they're two games over .500, and while last year's surprise run showed anything can happen, last year and this year aren't mirror images. It's tough being Rob Pelinka. The Lakers might only get one real swing at improving. Can they compromise offseason opportunities for (potentially limited) short term gain? How much pressure is LeBron James putting on the team? Is he even in position to do the leverage thing anymore? Finally, Russell was unusually candid about his approach to the trade rumors that have followed him around basically since he inked his deal with the team last summer. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: With only a day or so left before the trade deadline, where do things stand? SEGMENT 2: How aggressive should the Lakers be? SEGMENT 3: D'Lo and the deadline. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Nissan Our friends at Nissan have a lineup of SUV’s with the capabilities to take your adventure to the next level. Take the Nissan Rogue, Nissan Pathfinder, or Nissan Armada and go find your next big adventure. Shop NissanUSA.com.   LinkedIn LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply. eBay Motors For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. BetterHelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month. PrizePicks Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your best bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices