The Los Angeles Lakers want to make upgrades before the 2022 NBA trade deadlne, which arrives on Thursday. LeBron James is happy to roll with what they got or embrace any opportunity to get better, a la the Los Angeles Rams' decision to sign Odell Beckham Jr.

“I’ve always felt like — listen — I don’t really like to play fantasy basketball,” he told reporters after Lakers practice on Monday. “This is the group that we have going into the deadline and we’ll be ready to take on all challenges that this season has given us. I’ve said this every year: if there’s an opportunity for you to get better, then you explore those options. I’ve been like that my whole career. I’ve said it over and over. If you have an opportunity to get better, nobody turns that down. As great as the Rams was, they had an opportunity to get an elite guy like Odell and they went and got him. If you have an opportunity to get better, you try to get better. And if not, you rock and roll with what you got.”

Beckham Jr., who was signed on Nov. 11, has proven to be a key factor in the Rams' run to Super Bowl LVI. Including the playoffs, Beckham Jr. has 46 receptions for 541 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games with Los Angeles.

(It was one of two analogies LeBron made to the Rams on Monday. He also likened Sean McVay's use of versatile wideout Cooper Kupp to how the Lakers deploy Anthony Davis. A reporter asked him about all the Rams talk before LeBron walked off the podium, to which James cracked “I'm a savant“.)

The Lakers are expected to be aggressive pre-deadline, but their limited flexibility will make it challenging for Lakers vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka to strike any major deals. The Lakers can attach draft compensation to salary dump Russell Westbrook (or acquire John Wall), or package a combination of Talen Horton-Tucker (amidst a rough season), Kendrick Nunn (who hasn't played due to injury), and a 2027 or 2028 first-round pick for a supporting piece. They have a plethora of minimum contracts and second-round picks to use for marginal upgrades or to clear roster spots for buyout additions.

Regardless, you can bet that LeBron will have a say in any major organizational moves, as he did in the decision to acquire Westbrook last summer. Predictably, he didn't disclose any recent communication with Pelinka.

“You gotta ask Rob that question”, he curtly replied to a question about any discussions with the front office.