The pressure is mounting on the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of what is expected to be a very eventful trade deadline. There is no denying that this team has been struggling mightily for pretty much the entirety of the first half of the season and at this point, it is clear that changes need to be made.

As it turns out, even the players themselves understand the urgency of the situation. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the players on the team are pressuring the front office to make the necessary moves ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline:

While Los Angeles is 10-8 in (games wherein LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook have all been available), standing pat and hoping that winning percentage improves to finish the season strong is not seen as a viable option by players on the team, sources told ESPN.

The report did not identify which particular players have been making these demands. However, one thing we can say with a certain level of certainty is that Westbrook likely isn't one of them. Russ has been the biggest scapegoat for the Lakers and he has already been heavily linked to a move away from Hollywood. I don't think he would be openly campaigning for his own trade.

Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn are two other names that have been rumored to be on the trade block for the Lakers. If this team does make its move prior to the deadline then either of these two players — or perhaps even both — are likely to be included in any trade package.