Things are growing increasingly dire for the Los Angeles Lakers. After clawing their way back into the playoff hunt following a 2-10 start, they've now lost four in a row with Anthony Davis out injured. It's a frustrating turn of events especially considering how well LeBron James is playing. The four-time MVP turns 38 this week, and has scored at least 30 points on 50 percent shooting or better in seven straight games.

Yet the Lakers continue to surround him with minimum-salary players and nonsensically small lineups. Fans have been waiting for a trade all season, but as the losses pile up, it's seemingly growing increasingly unlikely that a trade comes. According to The Athletic's Jovan Buha, the team does not want to compound its past mistakes with more win-now moves. The implication, of course, is that the Lakers do not want to trade their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to support a 13-20 team.