LeBron James, Anthony Davis Comment on Lack of Lakers Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers decided not to make a trade at the deadline, and it remains to be seen how this decision will pay off this season. After the Lakers’ two-point loss to the Warriors on February 12, LeBron James was asked to comment on the team’s connection. James cited the NBA trade deadline passing as one of the reasons why the team feels more together.

“I think that the trade deadline is over,” James reflected during his postgame press conference. “So, a lot of people got an opportunity just to move on and know this is what we have. …We’re going to be together and now we make a push.”

While Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka’s claimed that James and Anthony Davis were consulted on the team’s non-moves, there are speculations that both stars were pushing for a deadline deal. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that a source close to James and Davis described Pelinka’s idea of “alignment” with the two stars as “totally false.” McMenamin denied the claim that James and Davis were consulted by Pelinka prior to the deadline.

A.D. on Trade Rumors: ‘As a Player, It Can Weigh on You’

While Davis and James both discussed the NBA trade deadline passing, neither of them went into details about their rumored hopes for a potential Lakers move. Prior to the deadline, James said something about a “fog” being over the team which prompted speculation that a Lakers trade was inevitable. Davis also sounded optimistic that the lack of a deal could lead to better play to close out the season.

“You know, when you, and I never really been in it [trade rumors] unless in New Orleans when I asked for it [requested to be traded by the Pelicans], but we had a little bit last year as well,” Davis noted during a February 12 press conference. “Anytime your name is mentioned in trades, as a player it can weigh on you. You know, possibly moving to another city, you start thinking, ‘Well, the team really doesn’t want me.’ Things like that and when that time had passed, this is who we have, the 15 guys in that locker room and kind of just take weight off of everyone’s shoulders. ‘Okay, alright, this is what we got. Let’s go.’

“…We never talk about it, so you don’t know what guys are actually going through. What’s on their mind through that process, so that’s just my personal opinion. But I think when that time had passed, we had practice and we realized this is our team. Nothing’s gonna happen, let’s do it and guys have a little more swag today, a little more confidence, more energy. Played [with] more of a purpose, and if we continue to play like this for the rest of the season, then I think we put ourselves in a good position to be successful.”

LeBron on Players Dealing With the Trade Rumors: ‘It’s Human Nature to Think About It’

Dave McMenamin on what went on behind the scenes for the Lakers on Trade Deadline Day.

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— ??????’ ??? ?️ (@_Talkin_NBA) February 11, 2022

When asked if there was a meeting after the deadline, James emphasized that it was not needed. The Lakers star noted that every player is well aware of the significance of the trade deadline.

“We’re all grown men, you don’t need to come together and talk about it you just, you know,” James explained. “I mean, it affects people in different ways, the deadline, and it’s human nature. You hear your name talked about throughout trades and things of that nature.

“So, it’s human nature to think about it and either worry about it or just have it grasp your mind from time to time. So, there’s no need to talk about it. We had a great practice yesterday, and it resulted in the way we played today [vs. Warriors February 12].”