Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel says the team still has a chance to turn its disappointing season around if Anthony Davis returns by the playoffs.

"If [Anthony Davis] is able to come back and we catch the right matchup or catch a team at the right time and if we're able to catch fire at the right time, we're going to have a chance," Vogel told reporters Wednesday.

The Lakers have lost six of their last seven games to drop to 27-34. They are 4.5 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for eighth place in the Western Conference and would have to win a pair of play-in games to make the playoffs if the season ended today.

Davis has not played since suffering a mid-foot sprain in a Feb. 16 win over the Utah Jazz. He's expected to miss several more weeks, and no timetable has been given for his return.

The absence of Davis has left LeBron James essentially on an island, with the Lakers' supporting cast proving to be little more than a miscast group of past-their-prime veterans. James and Russell Westbrook have developed little on-court chemistry, and Vogel has taken to benching Westbrook when he is ineffective.

"We still have games to play," James told reporters Tuesday when asked if he was giving up on the season. "Until you stomp me out, cut my head off, bury me 12 feet under, then I got a chance. So that's my confidence."

James, Davis and Westbrook have played only 20 games together, in large part because of injuries. The Lakers are 11-9 in those games—a vast improvement from their overall record—but still not anywhere near championship contention.

Major changes are expected in the offseason, with Westbrook almost certain to be shopped and Vogel's job likely on the line. Only a miracle—one that comes in the form of Davis finding his 2020 bubble form and Westbrook taking a time machine to 2017—can save this sinking ship.

Despite the continued struggles for the Los Angeles Lakers, there are reportedly "no plans" to shut down LeBron James for the rest of the 2021-22 season, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. 

The Lakers have lost 10 of their last 13 to fall to 27-34, good for just ninth in the Western Conference. However, it's clear James is not giving up on the year. 

"We still have games to play," he said Tuesday. "Until you stomp me out, cut my head off, bury me 12 feet under, then I got a chance. So that's my confidence."

James has been dealing with a knee injury for the past few weeks, which cost him five games in January and February. He admitted last month that "the only way it'll be back to full strength is with rest," but that will only come in the offseason.

The 37-year-old has remained effective on the court with averages of 28.0 points and 9.6 assists in eight games since returning from the injury, shooting 51.1 percent from the field.

LeBron has taken on a bigger scoring role as the roster has dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness. His 28.9 points per game ranks third in the NBA and would be his highest scoring average since 2009-10.

The mileage is still adding up for the 19th-year veteran.

Shutting James down for the final 21 games would likely ruin the Lakers' playoff hopes, but it could allow his injuries to heal heading into 2022-23. He could go into next year fresh alongside Anthony Davis, who has played just 37 games this campaign and remains out with a foot injury.

Conversely, the Lakers are a long shot to contend even with the superstar on the court. The squad is just two games ahead of the final spot in the play-in tournament, and the recent trend is not encouraging. 

James seemingly still plans to give it his all with just over a month left in the regular season.     

The Los Angeles Lakers didn't make any significant changes to their underperforming roster ahead of the trade deadline, but they will reportedly make a move to bolster their backcourt before the season's stretch run.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported on Monday the Purple and Gold "intend to waive DeAndre Jordan and sign free agent guard D.J. Augustin" to back up Russell Westbrook and provide additional shooting.

Charania also reported the Lakers plan to sign Wenyen Gabriel to a two-way NBA contract.

Gabriel played collegiately at Kentucky and has appeared in a combined 58 NBA games the past three seasons for the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.

He played seven games this season for the Nets and Clippers and averaged 2.0 points and 2.1 rebounds. 

The Jordan and Augustin move is the one that will generate the most headlines considering their respective resumes. 

After all, there was a time when Jordan was one of the most productive big men in the league during his prime on the Clippers. He was an All-Star in 2016-17 and is a three-time All-NBA selection, two-time All-Defensive selection and two-time rebounding champion.

Yet Jordan's days of skying above the rim for Chris Paul alley-oops and notching double-doubles on an almost nightly basis appear to be in the past. The 33-year-old played 32 games for the Lakers this season and averaged 4.1 points and 5.4 rebounds a night.

Jordan largely fell out of the team's rotation and hasn't played more than 20 minutes since Dec. 19.

The addition of Augustin will give the Lakers another ball-handler and veteran presence in the backcourt. The Texas product has been in the league since the 2008-09 campaign and has suited up for the Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets.

He appeared in 34 games this season for the Rockets and averaged 5.4 points, 2.2 assists and 1.2 rebounds while shooting an impressive 40.6 percent from three-point range.

It is that shooting that surely made Augustin attractive for Los Angeles considering Westbrook notoriously struggles from deep and there are plenty of outside looks available when playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.                    

LeBron James was stumped after the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 123-95 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night.

"I don't have an answer for tonight," James told reporters. "Obviously, you talk about the future, that's for us all to figure out. You don't know what can happen in the next few weeks. But tonight, from the six-minute point of the second quarter through the third, no answers."

Los Angeles trailed just 34-33 with seven minutes left in the second quarter, but the deficit grew to 11 at halftime and 30 by the end of the third quarter of the blowout loss.

The Lakers are now 27-33 after dropping 14 of the last 20 games, good for ninth in the Western Conference.

Though the Lakers are still in position to earn a spot in the play-in tournament, expectations are much higher for the squad two years removed from an NBA title.

Even with Anthony Davis out with a foot injury, there is no shortage of proven players on the roster between Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and more. James is also averaging 29.0 points per game, his highest figure since 2009-10.

It still hasn't led to wins, with Sunday's loss especially ugly against an opponent below them in the standings. The Lakers shot just 7-of-34 (20.6 percent) from three-point range in the home defeat, turning it over 23 times while only registering 15 assists.

With just 22 games remaining, LeBron and head coach Frank Vogel must figure out how to turn things around before the team's postseason chances slip away.    

Russell Westbrook has been at the center of scorn all season from Lakers fans, but he says he hasn't let it impact him off the floor.

"Nah," Westbrook told reporters when asked if he brings the criticism home with him. "Take it home? For what? S--t. Take it home? I got three beautiful kids at my house. Why would I take it home? If they boo, they can take their ass home. I ain't worried about that. It doesn't bother me none. ...

"I can only answer if I take them home: No. But as for our team, I don't think it's something we got to deal with. And kind of move forward."

Westbrook continued his rough stretch of play in Sunday's 123-95 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds and one assist while turning the ball over seven times and making only five of his 15 shot attempts. The Lakers were outscored by a team-worst 26 points when Westbrook was on the floor.

For the month of February, the 2017 NBA MVP is averaging just 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 36.3 percent from the floor. 

The Lakers have lost five of their last six overall to drop to 27-33. They're 3.5 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 8 seed and would be forced to win two play-in games to reach the playoffs if the season ended today.

"It all starts with a win. That's what it starts with," Westbrook said of turning things around. "Try to get off of this slide and get a win and learn from that win with things you did well, things that you didn't do so well. So it always starts with that and how you can try to get into a game-by-game situation."

Was Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James looking for someone to replace general manager Rob Pelinka? One NBA general manager believes so.

"I heard that he was trying to get Sam Presti in there to replace Rob," an Eastern Conference GM told Ric Bucher of Fox Sports in a report published Friday. "I don't see that happening, but I could see him trying to get Pelinka out of there."

The comments come after James' reported frustration with the fact that Pelinka didn't make any moves at the trade deadline to address some of the team's issues.

James also recently praised Presti during his All-Star Game media availability, calling him "the MVP" for drafting players like Josh Giddey, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, among others. Some interpreted that as the veteran taking a shot at Pelinka.

However, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who represents James, has since met with Pelinka and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to reiterate the superstar's commitment to the team and winning another championship, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski also reported Paul insisted during the meeting "that there's no movement underway to seek management changes." In addition, Pelinka provided his own insight into the meeting with The Athletic's Sam Amick:

I just don't think (communicating indirectly) is the right way of doing business. And I don't think that's who we are, who LeBron is. We have a great partnership with the Lakers. The Klutch Sports Group and the Lakers don't have an issue. Rich Paul and Rob Pelinka don't have an issue. LeBron James and Rob Pelinka don't have an issue. And Jeanie Buss and LeBron and Rich Paul don't have an issue. It's very simple. Very simple. So, you know, whoever put that type of stuff out, and people run with it, I think it's unfair to the Lakers.

There have also been other rumors about James potentially leaving the Lakers following his comments about potentially one day returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also mentioned that his final season in the NBA would be spent playing with his son, whether it be in L.A. or elsewhere.

However, James won't become a free agent until 2023. So, right now, it should come as no surprise that his focus is on helping the Lakers improve to end the season on a high note. 

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James denied that he has a significant role in the team's personnel decisions in the wake of rumors and speculation regarding both his future with L.A. as well as reported consternation between his camp and the team's front office.

"I don't push the buttons," James said Friday evening after the Lakers' 105-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers (h/t ESPN's Dave McMenamin).

"They ask for my opinion, and I voice my opinion and what I believe. But I don't press any buttons. That's what our front office is for, and that's what our leadership group is for."

James made a few interesting comments regarding his future during All-Star Weekend. Of note, he said that the "door's not closed" for a third stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He also mentioned that his last year in the NBA will be played wherever his 17-year-old son, Bronny James, winds up. The high school junior is a 4-star prospect.

James has one year left on his current deal and is slated to become a free agent in 2023.

Earlier this week, Bill Oram of The Athletic dropped a report that outlined tension between James and his representation (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports) vs. the Rob Pelinka-led Lakers front office.

Oram referenced some of James' recent comments before writing the following:

"This has to all come as a shock to the Lakers and especially their vice president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, who has repeatedly yielded to James and the appropriately-named Klutch Sports Group that represents him.

"Why appropriate?

"Because James and agent Rich Paul long grabbed hold of the Lakers organization and are now beginning to really squeeze.

"The situation is tense enough that one source close to the Lakers likened it to the early days of a war."

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report also touched on the situation, noting that Klutch was not happy that the Lakers didn't execute a deal involving L.A. point guard Russell Westbrook and Houston Rockets point guard John Wall:

"According to multiple NBA sources, Klutch is not happy with Pelinka. The sentiment has long percolated, but it reached a boil when Pelinka refused to trade Westbrook and a future first-round pick (likely 2027) for Houston Rockets guard and Klutch client John Wall."

The 27-32 Lakers are idling in ninth place in the Western Conference after last night's loss. An appearance in the play-in tournament seems all but certain, but the Lakers may not even make the playoffs at this point.

L.A. stood pat at the trade deadline, and its only notable addition down the stretch may be welcoming back Anthony Davis from a mid-foot sprain that will keep him out through mid-March.

For now, that implies the Lakers have to figure this out on their own as they search for answers during this disappointing season.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel expressed frustration in the referees' decision to allow a Los Angeles Clippers' review inside the final minute of Friday's game, which led to an overturned call and the ball being given to the Clips.

With just under 30 seconds left and the Lakers down one, LeBron James made an attempt to save a ball, which was then knocked out of play by the Clippers' Robert Covington. The Clippers successfully challenged James was out of bounds. 

Vogel argued the review shouldn't have been allowed since the sequence continued with Covington making the final play before the whistle, per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.

"I disagree strongly with the ruling," he said. "... It's just wrong."

The Clippers held on for a 105-102 victory in the battle of L.A.

James, who noted he'd "never seen" such a replay review, argued the officials' actions played a role in the final result. 

"It definitely impacted the moment," he said.

If the Lakers were living up to expectations as an NBA title contender, such a controversial ending would be a minor footnote at season's end. That's not the case, however, as every loss pushes them closer to the playoff fringe.

L.A. owns a 27-32 record, which ranks ninth in the Western Conference and leaves James and Co. just 3.5 games ahead of the 11th-place San Antonio Spurs in the race for the final spots in the play-in tournament.

That doesn't leave James and Co. a ton of margin for error down the stretch, particularly since Anthony Davis is sidelined through at least mid-March because of a foot injury.

In turn, narrow losses like the one to the Clippers on Friday night could come back to haunt the Lakers, which could be a reason Vogel was so passionate in expressing his frustration.

The Lakers weren't blameless in defeat, though. They shot just 41.9 percent from the field while knocking down only eight of their 31 attempts from three-point range (25.8 percent).

"This is a game we're supposed to win," Carmelo Anthony said.

L.A. returns to action Sunday when its hosts the New Orleans Pelicans (24-36), another team in the battle for a play-in berth in the West.

LeBron James lamented the Los Angeles Lakers' inability to find any consistent success throughout the 2021-22 season following Friday's 105-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

James scored a game-high 21 points, but it wasn't enough for the Lakers, who remain without Anthony Davis because of a foot injury, as their record fell to 27-32.

"I do wish that we were just playing better basketball and between me, AD and Russ [Westbrook] on the floor at the same time," James told reporters. "That's the biggest disappointment so far, that us three, because we all wanted to see this work. We just haven't been on the floor."

The Lakers underwent a significant offseason roster overhaul headlined by the blockbuster acquisition of Westbrook to give them perhaps the NBA's most star power.

His arrival, combined with a series of depth moves to put more shooters around the team's Big Three, gave L.A. the feel of a title contender, but it hasn't worked. At least not yet.

Every time the Lakers get the lineup healthy and try to build some momentum, a new injury arises to prevent any serious progress.

James has missed 17 games this season while dealing with abdominal, ankle and knee injuries. Davis, who's sat out 22 contests, is sidelined through at least mid-March with a foot injury after previously dealing with knee, thumb, thigh and wrist ailments.

Add in Westbrook's struggles acclimating to his role and the Lakers' lack of moves ahead of the trade deadline earlier this month and the outlook for L.A. has steadily faded.

James explained Friday he gives his opinion on potential roster moves, but it's ultimately up to the team's front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, to make the decisions.

"I don't push the buttons," he said. "They ask for my opinion, and I voice my opinion and what I believe. But I don't press any buttons. That's what our front office is for, and that's what our leadership group is for. I don't press no buttons. So we can state that right now."

The Lakers still have enough talent on paper to make some noise in the Western Conference, but they're running out of time to find their stride, particularly since they're ninth in the standings and just 3.5 games clear of the San Antonio Spurs, the first team out in the race for a play-in tournament berth.

If Davis can return for the final stretch of the regular season and James stays healthy, L.A. at minimum will be a tough out in the playoffs and could make a run.

The way things have played out so far, however, it's hard to have much confidence the Lakers can suddenly transform into a high-end championship contender.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James clarified comments he made over All-Star Weekend about his NBA future following Friday night's loss to the rival Los Angeles Clippers.

"This is a franchise I see myself being with. I'm here. I'm here," James told reporters. "I see myself being with the purple and gold as long as I can play."

The four-time MVP stated rather matter-of-factly to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic last Saturday that his "last year will be played" with his 17-year-old son, Bronny, and also said the door remained open for another return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"I also have a goal that, if it's possible—I don't even know if it's possible—that if I can play with my son, I would love to do that," James said Friday. "Is that, like, something that any man shouldn't want that in life? That's like the coolest thing that could possibly happen. That doesn't mean I don't want to be with this franchise." 

The 37-year-old Ohio native's remarks about his future last weekend raised eyebrows because they came on the heels of an NBA trade deadline where the reeling Lakers failed to make any moves to significantly bolster their roster.

In separate comments over the break, James praised Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti for his ability to identify talent, especially through the draft. That was viewed as a slight toward Lakers GM Rob Pelinka following the quiet deadline.

He denied there was any connection between those situations.

"If I comment [on] or compliment the GM that's in OKC—I really believe he's done a phenomenal job. And you guys spin that to me saying that Rob is not doing a great job," James said Friday.

Most of the drama stems from the fact that the Lakers are struggling to stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race. They currently sit ninth with a 27-32 record, which is just 3.5 games ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, the first team outside the play-in tournament cut line.

If L.A. was a title contender, as was expected after the blockbuster offseason trade for Russell Westbrook, his comments about Bronny and Presti probably wouldn't have gained so much traction.

The Lakers still have time to turn things around, especially if Anthony Davis can return from a foot injury for the stretch run of the regular season. But if they continue to play sub-.500 basketball, the questions about James' future will grow louder in the offseason.

He's under contract for next season as part of a two-year, $85.7 million deal, but trade rumors could emerge if Los Angeles decides its championship window is closing.

For now, it sure doesn't seem like James is going to end his decorated career with the franchise.