NBA Standings 2019: Lakers Keep Losing Amid Anthony Davis Trade Rumors, Clippers Hurt Playoff Hopes

The Los Angeles Lakers (27-27) have been struggling on two fronts: the team is having a hard time winning games, and they can’t seem to make the New Orleans Pelicans (23-31) a compelling offer for Anthony Davis.

Amid rumors that Los Angeles is looking to trade just about everyone except LeBron James for Davis, the Lakers have continued to fall further down the NBA standings. It all came to a head Tuesday night when L.A. lost to the Indiana Pacers (35-19) 136-94, just hours after it was reported the Lakers had pulled out of trade talks with the Pelicans.

It was the worst loss of James’ career and his second game back since returning from a groin injury, though he was forced to rest for a game after making his initial return. The NBA’s top star likely still isn’t 100 percent, which is troubling for a team that has work to do to get back into the playoff picture.

When the Lakers upset the Golden State Warriors (37-15) on Christmas Day, they moved to six games above .500 and looked like they might be on their way to hosting a first-round playoff series. James missed the next 17 games, during which Los Angeles went 6-11, just about ensuring that they will be fighting for their playoff lives for the majority of the season.

Through two-thirds of the 2018-2019 season, the Lakers sit in 10th place in the West. They are 1.5 games behind the No.9 seed Sacramento Kings (28-25) and 2.5 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers (30-25) for the conference’s final playoff spot.

James last missed the playoffs in 2005. The Lakers last played in the postseason in 2013.

While the Lakers are determined to make the playoffs, the idea of playing beyond the regular season doesn’t seem to be the Clippers’ top priority. The Clippers sent Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers (34-20) early Wednesday morning in a move that could ultimately result in the Los Angeles teams trading spots in the standings before too long.

Harris leads the Clippers with both 20.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. He’s going to be a free agent this offseason, and L.A. has their eyes on bigger names, namely Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers received two future first-round picks in the deal.

The Clippers are actually motivated to miss the playoffs because if they don’t, their draft pick will go to the Boston Celtics (35-19). The pick would likely be used by Boston this offseason in a trade offer for Davis.

The Clippers are a half-game behind the Utah Jazz (30-24) for the No.7 seed. They are within striking distance of the No.6 seed San Antonio Spurs (32-23) and the No.5 seed Houston Rockets (31-22).

Philadelphia is the No.5 seed in the East, trailing Indiana and Boston by a game. The Milwaukee Bucks (39-13) have a 1.5-game edge over the Toronto Raptors (39-16) for the top seed in the conference and the best record in basketball.