Lakers trade rumors: The feeling is that the Lakers could stand to clap at the deadline

The optimism that came with the Lakers swinging a trade in late December has been dashed in recent weeks. After an initial streak of victories that Dorian Finney-Smith joined in the middle, the Lakers have lost four of their last six games.

When the Lakers made their early move, most assumed it would be the first of several moves. After over a year without deals, the Lakers finally showed life at the deadline, and it certainly wouldn’t be the only time they do it…right?

Well!

With the trade deadline just over two weeks away, the latest report is out Jovan Buha by Athletics suggesting the Lakers could go back to sitting on their hands this deadline.

The sense around the league, talking to rival scouts and front office personnel, is that it’s more likely to stand pat or make a half-goal trade (probably one or two second-round picks) than the Lakers going all-in and trade both their future moveable first-round picks. Of course, it depends on the players available, the asking price and the team’s performance through the deadline.

If this feels like a redux of previous seasons, just know you’re not alone in that feeling. This is something that could have been written any time in the last 18 months and it wouldn’t have felt out of place.

Now, if you’re looking for solace, this is it:

1. A report from an author
2. A feeling that has not been shared anywhere else
3. Reporting what others around the NBA think, not what the Lakers think.

None of this is to discredit Buha’s work in any way. He’s as connected as it gets to reporting on the Lakers. Even he would probably agree with at least most of the caveats above.

At the same time, this is announced, Dan Woike from LA Times also reports that the Lakers are making calls, specifically about centers. Several things may be true here.

And realistically, there probably aren’t many players that the Lakers could trade both first picks for on the market. That type of player isn’t even available.

There won’t be much time to wait before we find out an answer to whether the Lakers are going to fold. But it’s a bit of déjà vu all over again in all the bad ways to read such a report.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.