Honestly, if you're looking at the standings right now, you might think the sky is falling in Laker Land. We've seen this movie before, right? The drama, the trade rumors, the panicked tweets. But today's la lakers news and rumors today show a team that is basically duct-taped together.
The Lakers just took a nasty 132-116 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. It wasn't pretty. They are sitting at 24-16, 6th in the Western Conference, but the "vibe check" is significantly lower than that.
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Why the Lakers Roster is Basically a MASH Unit
Look at the injury report. It's a disaster. Austin Reaves is still out with that nasty Grade 2 calf strain. He’s been gone for six games now, and the team is 1-5 in that stretch. You don't realize how much that guy's secondary playmaking matters until he's gone and everything feels stagnant.
Then you've got the Luka Doncic situation. Yeah, it's still weird to say "Lakers star Luka Doncic," but here we are in 2026. He’s been dealing with a nagging left groin injury. He missed the Portland game. He's officially "questionable" for the game against Toronto today, January 18. If he doesn't go, the offense is basically just LeBron James trying to carry a mountain on his back. Again.
LeBron himself? He's 41. He’s dealing with left foot joint arthritis and some sciatica issues. He played 32 minutes against Portland and put up 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Those are "great for anyone else" numbers, but for Bron in Year 23, it's just Tuesday. He’s also questionable for today.
The Real Trade Rumors: Who is Actually on the Block?
The rumor mill is spinning like a top. The biggest name floating around is actually Austin Reaves. Reports are coming out that the Utah Jazz have "serious interest" in him. There’s even been chatter from guys like Rich Paul suggesting a Reaves-for-Jaren Jackson Jr. swap with Memphis.
Whether Rob Pelinka actually pulls the trigger on a Reaves trade is another story. Most insiders, like Jovan Buha, think the Lakers are more likely to package Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent to find a wing defender. They desperately need size. They are currently ranked 26th in defensive rating. That is a recipe for a first-round exit.
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Specific targets being discussed:
- Andrew Wiggins: Currently with Miami, shooting nearly 40% from deep.
- Keon Ellis: The Kings' guard who is a menace at the point of attack.
- Herb Jones: The Pelicans' defensive ace, though New Orleans is reportedly asking for two unprotected firsts.
And then there's Dalton Knecht. The 2024 first-round pick hasn't been the "steal" everyone hoped for. Word is the Lakers are actively shopping him and their 2032 first-round pick to see if they can flip them into multiple assets.
JJ Redick vs. The Critics
JJ Redick has been taking a lot of heat lately. After three straight losses, he didn't hold back, calling out the team's "competitive stamina." But he’s also been LeBron’s biggest defender. He recently slammed the media for focusing on LeBron’s "vulnerability" regarding his age.
Redick is in a tough spot. He’s trying to coach a team that has a Top 10 offense but a bottom-tier defense. It’s hard to build a defensive scheme when your best perimeter defenders are in street clothes. Deandre Ayton missed the Portland game with a knee issue, though he’s expected back for the Raptors game. Jaxson Hayes is also cleared to return.
The Front Office Shakeup Nobody Talks About
This is the part that usually gets buried. There is a lot of talk that Rob Pelinka’s seat is finally getting warm. We’re hearing that the Lakers are looking to restructure the front office to look more like the Dodgers—adding more "figureheads" and "analytical depth."
There are rumors that Andrew Friedman or Farhan Zaidi might even have some sort of consulting role in this transition. If the Lakers don't make a deep run this year, Pelinka might be "stepping down" into an advisory role by the summer.
What Happens Next?
If you're a fan, the next few hours are critical. The Lakers play the Toronto Raptors tonight at Crypto.com Arena. If Doncic and LeBron both sit, expect a lot of minutes for guys like Drew Timme and Jake LaRavia. Timme actually had a decent showing against Portland with 21 points, but he’s not the guy you want as your primary option in a must-win January game.
What you should watch for:
- The 2:30 PM Injury Report: This will tell us if Luka and Bron are playing.
- Trade Deadline Countdown: We are less than three weeks away from the February 5th deadline.
- Defensive Rotations: Watch if Redick sticks with the drop coverage that Luka struggled with against Milwaukee, or if they try to get more aggressive.
The reality is that the Lakers aren't "bad," they're just broken. You can't evaluate a team when $100 million in salary is on the training table. But in LA, "wait until we're healthy" isn't an excuse that usually lasts until February.
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Monitor the official NBA injury report two hours before tip-off for the final status of Doncic and James. If both are out, the Raptors moneyline becomes a very tempting play despite Toronto's own struggles. Check the trade market for any movement on Dalton Knecht; if he sees a "DNP-CD" (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision) tonight, it's a huge sign a deal is imminent.