(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
After blowout losses to the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks near the beginning of their six-game road trip, the Los Angeles Lakers looked like they were going to limp toward the NBA trade deadline and potentially break up this roster in order for this team to get back on track.
However, the team has miraculously pulled off consecutive wins against two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, getting the best of the arch-rival Boston Celtics, without superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and is coming off an impressive win against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Along with these wins, the Lakers looked motivated and inspired, which has led some to believe the team might be getting back to form and possibly a legitimate playoff team in the Western Conference.
According to Basketball Reference, the Lakers currently have a 31% chance of making the NBA playoffs.
2023-2024 NBA Western Conference Playoff Odds:
DEN – 100%
LAC – 100%
MIN – 100%
OKC – 100%
NOP – 95%
SAC – 88%
PHO – 69%
DAL – 41%
HOU – 41%
LAL – 31%
GSW – 26%
UTA – 5.0%
MEM – 0.0%
POR – 0.0%
SAS – 0.0%
All Playoff Odds: https://t.co/0r3ogSofIN
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) February 4, 2024
With only a few days left before the trade deadline, it’ll be interesting to see what the Lakers do in order to improve their roster for the rest of the regular season and a potential deep run in the postseason.
It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that the Lakers stand pat if they can finish this road trip on a high note with a win against the Charlotte Hornets.
However, the Lakers will face the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets on the day of the trade deadline (Feb. 8), which would’ve been the best barometer on whether a trade or two is needed.
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