Man, the Lakers are never boring. Whether they’re winning by 20 or losing three straight, the drama at Crypto.com Arena is basically a soap opera with better sneakers. If you’re looking for nba lakers news today, the big story isn’t just that they blew the doors off the Atlanta Hawks 141-116 last night; it’s the weird, bubbling tension between LeBron James, his agent Rich Paul, and the ghost of trade deadlines past.
Let’s get the game out of the way first. LeBron almost messed around and got a triple-double (31 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds), and Luka Doncic—yeah, still feels weird saying he’s a Laker—dropped 27 of his own. They looked like the juggernaut everyone expected when Rob Pelinka pulled off that heist of a trade with Dallas a year ago. But the score doesn't tell the whole story.
Why the Rich Paul Comments Are Ruffling Feathers
So, here’s what’s actually happening behind the scenes. Rich Paul, LeBron’s long-time agent and basically the shadow GM of the league, went on a podcast and basically said the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves for Jaren Jackson Jr.
That’s wild.
Honestly, it’s one thing for fans to play trade machine on Reddit, but when the guy who represents the face of the franchise starts name-dropping Memphis Grizzlies stars, people notice. LeBron didn't seem too thrilled about it, either. He’s been vocally defensive of Reaves, who is currently sidelined with a calf strain and isn't expected back until late January.
There is a clear divide here. On one side, you have the "win now at all costs" camp (Rich Paul) who sees a 24-14 record and thinks the defense is too leaky to win a ring. They want a Defensive Player of the Year like JJJ to anchor the paint. On the other side, you have LeBron, who seemingly wants to keep the chemistry intact and keep his guys around. It's a classic Lakers tug-of-war.
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JJ Redick and the Jake LaRavia Experiment
While the front office drama boils, JJ Redick is actually out here coaching his tail off. He made a massive call last night: he benched Rui Hachimura.
Well, "benched" is a strong word since Rui is on a minutes restriction with a calf injury, but Redick started Jake LaRavia instead. It worked perfectly. LaRavia put up 17 points and looked like a defensive menace against Jalen Johnson.
Redick is in an interesting spot. He’s got an extension already, and the ownership—now led by Mark Walter—is clearly backing him. But Redick is also dealing with a roster that is statistically confusing. They have a top-10 offensive rating (9th) but their defense is hovering around 25th in the league. You can’t win a championship with a bottom-tier defense, no matter how many step-back threes Luka hits.
- Lakers Record: 24-14 (5th in the West)
- Offensive Rating: 117.2
- Defensive Rating: 117.9
- Next Game: Thursday vs. Charlotte Hornets
The defense is the reason the Jaren Jackson Jr. rumors won't die. Even though the New Orleans Pelicans reportedly told the Lakers that Herb Jones and Trey Murphy are off the table, Pelinka is still hunting for 3-and-D help.
The Anthony Davis "What If"
We have to talk about Anthony Davis. It’s impossible to discuss nba lakers news today without looking at the guy they traded away to get Luka. AD is currently in Dallas, and honestly, it’s been a nightmare for him. He’s dealing with a hand injury that might need surgery, though he’s been on social media telling people to "stop listening to lies."
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If the Lakers had kept AD and paired him with LeBron and Luka? That’s a video game roster. But they chose the Luka path. While it's paid off in terms of highlight reels and regular-season wins, the lack of a rim protector—Deandre Ayton is fine, but he's no AD—is the Achilles' heel of this team.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Deadline
Everyone thinks the Lakers are one move away. The reality is more complicated. They are currently just about a million dollars below the first-apron hard cap. That means they have almost zero flexibility.
To bring in a guy like Jaren Jackson Jr. (who just signed a $240 million extension) or even a mid-tier wing, they have to send out significant salary. That means Reaves, Hachimura, or D'Angelo Russell have to go. There is no "magic" trade that keeps the core together and adds a star.
Roster Moves: The Kobe Bufkin Signing
In a smaller move that actually matters for depth, the Lakers signed Kobe Bufkin to a 10-day contract. He was the 15th pick back in 2023 and has been tearing up the G League, averaging nearly 29 points.
Is he going to save the season? No. But with Reaves out and the offense occasionally stalling when Luka sits, having a young guard who can actually create his own shot is a smart, low-risk move. He might even get some run against Charlotte on Thursday.
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How to Handle the Trade Deadline Hype
If you’re a Lakers fan, the next three weeks are going to be exhausting. Here is how you should actually look at the current situation:
- Watch the Hachimura/LaRavia dynamic: If LaRavia continues to play well, Hachimura becomes the most likely trade bait because of his salary and value to other teams.
- Ignore the "LeBron is leaving" talk: He picked up his $52.6 million option. He's here. The focus is on the 23rd season and the jersey patch, not a trade to Cleveland or Miami.
- Monitor the "First Apron": Any trade the Lakers make will be scrutinized by the league's front office because of how close they are to the hard cap. They can't take back more money than they send out.
The Lakers are clearly a tier below the Timberwolves and Thunder in the West right now. They can score with anyone, but until they find a way to stop someone from getting to the rim, they’re just a very expensive, very entertaining play-in threat.
If you're keeping tabs on the schedule, the Lakers have a chance to build some real momentum this week. They host the Hornets on Thursday before heading out on a road trip that starts in Portland. These are games they should win if they want to stay in the top six and avoid the play-in tournament entirely.
Check the injury report about two hours before tip-off on Thursday. If LeBron is listed as "probable" again, expect him to play, but don't be surprised if Redick keeps the minutes for the veterans low if they get an early lead.