Lakers Rumors: Rivals’ Sense More Likely “Half-Goal Trade” Than “Go All-In” | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

Having already made a trade during the season, the Los Angeles Lakers could be quiet as far as making more deals before the Feb. 6 deadline.

Per Athletic’s Jovan Buhathe “feeling” from rival scouts and front office executives around the NBA is that the Lakers are more likely to either stand pat or make a “half-goal” trade rather than try an “all-in” move.

Buha noted that this approach is dependent on which players will be available, the asking price for those players and how the Lakers perform over the next two weeks before the deadline.

If the Lakers do make a move, Buha mentioned a big man or another ball-handler as the areas they would prioritize.

There are two problems for any team that might try to go all-in before the trade deadline. The first is seed restrictions, which have 17 of the NBA’s 30 teams with hard caps at either the first or second seed.

The Lakers don’t fall into that category, but they just are 3.5 million dollars under the second apron right now.

Another problem, even if the Lakers decide they want to push their chips in this season, is that there aren’t many difference-makers.

Jimmy Butler is the biggest name that appears to be being dealt, but there has been nothing connecting him to the Lakers at this point.

Cameron Johnson’s three-point shooting and perimeter defense would be a good fit for any team, but the market for him appears to be very competitive because every contender is looking for a wing right now.

Buha noted that there is a “lack of available two-way swings in Los Angeles’ price and asset range,” suggesting a high price for Johnson. Brian Lewis of New York Post noted that the Brooklyn Nets want either two first-round draft picks or their equivalent in exchange for the 28-year-old.

Lakers and Nets previously entered into an agreement on Dec. 29 for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, with Los Angeles sending D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Smith and three future second-round picks to Brooklyn.

Anthony Davis and LeBron James got the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals two years ago after winning the No. 7 in the playoffs by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in tournament.

This team was built around what would be considered more marginal upgrades prior to the trade deadline, including the acquisitions of Rui Hachimura, Mo Bamba, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Los Angeles is currently in sixth place in the Western Conference with a record of 22-18. The team has lost four of its last six games, including a 116-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.