LeBron James noted afterward that they "have to play close-to-perfect basketball" in order to win because "that's the way our team is constructed." It was harsh yet timely criticism of his roster, a nudge to the front office to make improvements ahead of the trade deadline.

Jan 21, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) drives past Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Kessler is the headliner of this deal and he could easily provide the Lakers with strong production right away. The big man is one of the best defensive centers in the entire league and could give this team a legitimate running mate next to star Anthony Davis.

This mock trade would give the Lakers not only a serviceable starting center next to Anthony Davis, but one who could be a game-changer.

The Los Angeles Lakers continue their pursuit of Walker Kessler. Learn about the potential trade package and the challenges they face.

Here is all the latest news you need to know about the Los Angeles Lakers, including a trade proposal that involves star forward Anthony Davis.

The Los Angeles Lakers bolster their roster by grabbing two young and promising players in this hypothetical trade.

The Los Angeles Lakers currently hold a 24-18 record, position as the Western Conference's No. 5 seed and are coming off of a massive 117-96 victory against the reigning 2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics on Thursday night.