Los Angeles Lakers fans and analysts are in agreement that the only way to rack up some victories without LeBron James and Anthony Davis is to acquire some players through trade. As such, rumors have been circulating involving the top players in the trade block. However, Frank Vogel has been in the NBA long enough to know that trade rumors don't always turn into reality.
Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Vogel doesn't necessarily subscribe to the belief that a major trade will bolster the Lakers' chances of winning without James and Davis. Names such as Andre Drummond and LaMarcus Aldridge have been thrown around rumor circles, but Vogel is not paying attention to such whispers.
“Most trade deadline situations, there’s a lot of talk that results in nothing and that’s my expectation as a coach” – Frank Vogel
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 24, 2021
Without Anthony Davis, the Lakers were obviously missing heft on both ends of the floor. However, they did reasonably well with a 36-year-old LeBron James doubling-down on his efforts, as well as the likes of Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and Dennis Schroder performing above par. Yes, there were lots of losses, but there was also a short four-game winning streak without Davis in the fold.
However, since James suffered a high-ankle sprain, the Lakers have dropped three straight games. The game where James got hurt was a tight 99-94 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, while the next two games were just plain ugly. Against the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers lost 111-94. Against the New Orleans Pelicans, they were pummeled, 128-111.
These straight losses have understandably made Lakers fans antsy. They want wins and they want it now. But as Vogel noted, fans shouldn't hold on that a trade would quickly fix their woes.