NBA News: Hoop Experts Still Give Lakers Small Room To Secure Playoff Spot

The Los Angeles Lakers hardly made changes in the last NBA trade deadline, and some pundits are writing them off this early.

However, all is not lost. The buyout market is the next order of business as the franchise is expected to pick up a player or two.

As to who those could be, the answer to that remains to be seen.

The Lakers need a lot of things to do to fix the mess they dug themselves in.

Some voids need to be filled, which was pointed out by renowned book author Roland Lazenby when he appeared on the Sports Bytes PH podcast recently opposite Filipino journalist Brian Yalung.

“I have always had a lot of respect for the abilities and creative energy of LeBron James. I retain that--the respect for his game and leadership. But the Lakers have some things to solve. They can pick and choose among the players bought out," Lazenby stated.

"They lack a lot of things. They don’t have those athletic forwards that you need in the modern game to defend and create. Maybe they’ll pick up some people in the aftermarket."

Whoever the Lakers pick up in the buyout market holds no promises as far as boosting their push for the playoffs.

But in the eyes of former NBA player and current president of The Basketball League, David Magley, any team would not want to face a James-led team in the playoffs in any scenario.

Magley also shared his thoughts in a separate episode of Sports Bytes PH.

“If they [Lakers] get into the playoffs, I don’t know if I want to play them. I don’t know if I want to play a LeBron James team ever in the playoffs, especially if they are the eighth seed,” Magley stated.

Aware of the non-movement of the Lakers last February 10, Magley also stressed how the Russell Westbrook factor could spell a difference.

“Does Westbrook ever gel like he used to? No, I think he’s got to adjust. He may never be the ball-dominant guy that was the triple-double guy ever again at any level. But that does not mean he cannot play a key role," the TBL president said.

"He’s still very athletic, still can defend when he wants to, can still put up points in bunches if he gets hot. You know it’s more of like if he was more of a Vinnie Johnson-type back in the day that comes off the bench and gives you big buckets, big plays, might be an interesting role for him."