Honestly, if you haven't been keeping a hawk-eye on the Los Angeles Lakers recent news, you’ve missed a month that feels like a decade. We are sitting in January 2026, and the vibe around the Lakers is, well, complicated. This isn’t just your standard mid-season slump. It’s a full-blown identity crisis.
On one hand, the Lakers are 24-14. That’s tenth-best in the league and fifth in a brutal Western Conference. On the other hand, head coach JJ Redick is sounding like a man who has reached the end of his rope, and the trade rumors are swirling so fast it’s hard to keep track of who’s actually on the bus.
Basically, the "Luka in LA" honeymoon is over.
The Luka Dončić Paradox and the Sacramento Meltdown
Let's talk about that lopsided 124-112 loss to the Sacramento Kings on January 12. If you want to understand the current state of the team, that game is the blueprint. Luka Dončić was spectacular—he put up 42 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds on high efficiency. But here’s the kicker: the rest of the team shot 22% from the three-point line.
Redick didn't hold back after the game. He looked dejected, borderline miserable. He told reporters, "Literally, we can't make a shot... this has been the theme." It's kinda wild to hear a coach be that blunt, but he’s not wrong. The Lakers had 50 "potential assists" in that game and only converted 21 of them. When your superstar is creating wide-open looks and nobody can knock them down, the frustration boils over.
Luka is currently averaging a monstrous 33.4 points and 8.8 assists per game. He’s doing exactly what Rob Pelinka traded Anthony Davis to Dallas for. But the roster around him? It’s starting to look a bit like those old Dallas teams he escaped—one genius surrounded by guys who just aren't hitting their shots.
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LeBron at 41: The Envy Narrative
Then there’s the LeBron James factor. He turned 41 in December. He’s still averaging 23 points and nearly a triple-double when he plays, but the health is becoming a "thing." He’s been dealing with foot arthritis and sciatica, missing a chunk of games in early January.
JJ Redick actually went on a fascinating tangent recently about the criticism LeBron still takes. He called it the "nature of envy." Redick’s point was basically that people are so desperate for clicks they’ll find any reason to knock a guy who has been elite for 23 years.
But even with the coach’s defense, the reality is that the Lakers' offense looks completely different when LeBron is on the floor versus when he’s sidelined. Without him, the wing depth is paper-thin. When he does play, the chemistry with Luka is still a work in progress. It’s two of the greatest high-usage players ever trying to share one basketball while the clock is ticking on LeBron’s career.
The Anthony Davis Ghost and the Dallas Disaster
It’s impossible to discuss the Lakers without mentioning the guy they sent away. Anthony Davis is currently in Dallas, and if you think the Lakers have it rough, look at AD. He just suffered a significant hand injury and is expected to be out for at least six weeks.
There’s a segment of Lakers fans who still haven't forgiven the front office for that trade. Seeing AD put up 20 and 11 for the Mavs (before the injury) while the Lakers struggle with rim protection is a tough pill to swallow. Deandre Ayton, who the Lakers brought in to man the middle, has been solid but doesn’t have that "Defensive Player of the Year" gravity that Davis provided.
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Trade Deadline Chaos: Is Kuminga the Answer?
With the February 5 deadline approaching, Los Angeles Lakers recent news is dominated by one name: Jonathan Kuminga.
The Golden State Warriors forward has officially made a trade demand, and Rob Pelinka is reportedly "obsessed" with the idea of putting Kuminga’s athleticism next to Luka. To get him, the Lakers would likely have to part with:
- Jarred Vanderbilt (who is still a defensive stud but can't stay healthy)
- Gabe Vincent (whose contract has become a bit of an albatross)
- Dalton Knecht (the second-year shooter who has fallen out of Redick’s rotation)
Knecht is a sad story, honestly. Last year, he was the bright spot. This year, he’s averaging 5.1 points and spent time in the G-League. He’s basically the "sweetener" in any deal the Lakers try to make right now.
The Bronny James Situation
We have to touch on Bronny James. He’s in his second year, and the "hot seat" is getting warm. The Lakers just signed Kobe Bufkin to a 10-day contract, which is a direct signal that they aren't happy with the back-of-the-bench guard play. Bronny has been struggling to find minutes, and there are even whispers—though nothing concrete—that he could be included in a "ruthless" trade package if it meant getting a defensive wing like Matisse Thybulle.
What This Means for Your Fan Experience
If you're a fan or a bettor, the Lakers are the ultimate "don't trust them" team right now. They beat the Atlanta Hawks 141-116 one night, then look like they’ve never played basketball together the next.
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Here is what you need to watch over the next 14 days:
- The Health Report: If Austin Reaves (calf) and Rui Hachimura (calf) don't get back soon, the Lakers might fall out of the top six. They need those secondary scorers desperately.
- The Kuminga Watch: If a deal doesn't happen by the end of January, expect Pelinka to pivot to someone like Herb Jones or Dorian Finney-Smith. They need a "3-and-D" wing like humans need oxygen.
- Luka’s Usage: Keep an eye on Luka’s minutes. He’s carrying a massive load, and with his own minor groin issues popping up, the Lakers are one injury away from a total season collapse.
The Lakers aren't "bad," but they are unbalanced. They have the best individual player in the world in Dončić and the greatest of all time in LeBron, yet they are 29th in the league in opponent three-point percentage. You can't win a title in 2026 if you can't guard the perimeter.
Actionable Insights for Lakers Fans:
- Follow the injury reports for Austin Reaves specifically. His return is the "swing factor" for their bench production.
- Don't buy into the "LeBron is retiring" rumors just yet. He has a player option, and most league insiders expect him to stick around for at least one more run if the roster improves.
- Check the South Bay Lakers box scores. If Dalton Knecht or Bronny James start putting up big numbers there, it’s usually a sign they are being "showcased" for a trade.
The next few weeks will define the next three years of this franchise. It’s either going to be a blockbuster trade that saves the season, or we’re going to watch a very talented team slowly run out of gas.
Keep your eyes on the transaction wire. Things are about to get weird in Laker Land.