NBA Rumors: Lakers Staying 'Patient' with 'Trade Approach' Ahead of 2025 Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers aren't deviating from their original course when it comes to any trades before the Feb. 6 deadline, according to The Athletic's Jovan Buha.

"I've heard the Lakers have been patient with the trade approach relatively and it's been more of them waiting toward that February 6 date," Buha said at the 1:05:45 mark in the newest episode of his Buha's Block podcast. "If the right deal comes up sooner they will make it but it's seemingly been more than kind of waiting this out until like mid-to-late January on the early side."

Before the 2024-25 season tipped off, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said the front office was open to making a blockbuster trade. Any decision of that magnitude would require a lot of deliberation, though, and he set a timeline of around 30 games to truly evaluate the current roster.

We've hit that threshold with the Lakers sitting at 18-13 and fifth in the Western Conference. While Los Angeles has won five of its last six games, few would consider the team to be a championship favorite.

That's why the fanbase is growing increasingly restless. The need for reinforcements was clear in the summer and the Lakers' inconsistent performance has only furthered that belief.

The idea that Pelinka is biding his time for the right deal to materialize becomes more and more a source of frustration, too, because a franchise that's leaning on a 39-year-old LeBron James has to show some urgency at some point.

Sure, Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox could theoretically be in play, but the ouster of head coach Mike Brown seemingly points to the idea they want to at least keep Fox through the deadline. The Miami Heat have taken a more outwardly resolute stance about a Jimmy Butler trade.

If you're the Lakers, can you afford to sit on your hands with an eye toward doing something big next summer?

Pelinka's hesitation is understandable because he can ill afford to relive the failure that was the Russell Westbrook trade. But he has to be willing to take the plunge sooner or later.