Report: LeBron, Davis Concerned Lakers Can't (Won't?) Upgrade Roster?

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

It was a busy Wednesday for the Lakers, no question.

Jarred Vanderbilt has been cleared to play, and will be in uniform Saturday in San Francisco. How much he'll actually play is up in the air, but barring any late setbacks Vanderbilt will be active. Meanwhile, ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Anthony Davis and LeBron James are getting a little antsy as the trade deadline approaches, writing:

"But with the Feb. 6 trade deadline a little more than two weeks away, league sources told ESPN that James and Davis are growing concerned about the Lakers' ability to make significant roster upgrades with their two tradeable first-rounders. James, a four-time champion, and Davis, a one-time champ, have expressed that they want the franchise to make moves to contend for a championship, with the co-stars believing the Lakers are potentially a piece or two away, sources said."

Of course, the Lakers have already shown themselves as willing dealers, sending D'Angelo Russell to Brooklyn for Dorian Finney-Smith. But that, to a large degree, was a low consequence transaction. The type of thing LeBron and AD are talking about? That has much more risk. And reports indicate the Lakers will go "all in" should they find players that fit a LeBron/AD core now, and also make sense down the road to pair with Davis once James is gone. A young potential cornerstone piece, or pieces. And it has to work financially. And we're not including Austin Reaves.

Hit those benchmarks, and the Lakers are ready to go big.

Fine, but what exactly are we talking about, here? Are there any realistic scenario at the deadline that matches what Pelinka is talking about? Maybe Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton in Utah, if the Jazz really are willing to trade Kessler... which feels totally illogical, given Kessler's age (23) and obvious defensive talent?

So is Pelinka really just setting folks up for the Lakers to do nothing truly significant at the deadline? Is he willing to make something less than the obviously ideal trade? Something with more risk? That doesn't tick every box, but still would provide the kind of immediate boost his stars (and the team's fans) seem to want?

We're not even at the part where we talk about what's smart and what's not. Just the language of what's being reported sends signals that if in fact James and Davis are unhappy... they might stay that way.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Vando is coming back on Saturday.

SEGMENT 2: Is there a deal out there the Lakers would actually make?

SEGMENT 3: Why this deadline is set up for inaction.

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