The Los Angeles Lakers have not been doing well lately. They have dropped from the top three spots in the Western Conference to outside the top five. This early-season struggle has made the Lakers less urgent about making moves before the trade deadline.
According to Sporting News, NBA insider Jake Fischer talked about this on a livestream. “It’s going to take the, just, perfect right player for them to even put a first round pick on the table right now. They’ll be a little more conservative in terms of going after 3-and-D wing help if they don’t see themselves as a clear-cut contender [who are] just one piece away,” he said.
The Lakers seem ready to hold steady again and not make any big moves. But they need to remember how important it is to keep Luka Dončić happy with the team’s plans. The way they are handling things right now could worry the superstar.
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This passive approach puts Dončić’s patience to the test
Lake Show Life writer Svyatoslav Rovenchuk explained the problem with this strategy. He said waiting for the right chance instead of making one yourself is always risky in every part of life. The same thing is true here. Dončić is 26 years old and will turn 27 in February.
That should still give the Lakers several seasons to build a winner around their superstar. However, the idea of possibly wasting a season while he is playing great basketball is worrying.
This approach goes against what Dončić told GM Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick back in May. Other sports legends have faced similar career-defining moments and celebrations throughout their time in professional sports.
CBS Sports writer Jasmyn Wimbish pointed out that Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a longer timeline to build a championship team. But that doesn’t mean they can slow down and take their time.
Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he is not interested in taking the slow approach to building a contender.
Given what Dončić wants, the Lakers’ decision to stay put could frustrate him. He wants to compete for a championship as soon as this year. Unfortunately, that does not seem to match what the organization is planning right now. In other professional sports, veteran athletes like those making retirement decisions late in careers face similar pressures about their future.
By taking this approach, the Lakers are playing a risky game. Dončić could become a free agent in 2028. Wasting this season could leave the team only a few short years to prove they are serious about winning. This is especially important given what the star player clearly said he wanted before the season even started.
Published: Jan 2, 2026 02:45 pm