During the chaos of the NBA trade deadline, teams and players are often unsure of their fate, and that was the case for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.

Chemistry on a team can be in fluctuation as players are thrust into trade speculation and often left unaware of what exactly will happen to them.

Speaking during the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Los Angeles Lakers controlling owner and president Jeanie Buss was asked about the harm that trade speculation can have on a team, and she didn’t hold back.

Of course, Buss would have some first-hand knowledge of this, especially this year.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Los Angeles Lakers center Alex Len (27) defends against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers rumors: Will LA pursue center they’ve ‘long been fans of’ in free agency?Julian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates after a play against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series.
LeBron James drops mic on Lakers’ bubble championship hatersJulian Ojeda ·
Kevon Looney, Al Horford, Steven Adams, and Clint Capela on the Lakers court.
Sources: Lakers’ likeliest strategy to fixing center problemAnthony Irwin ·
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) makes a block attempt against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) during the first half at Delta Center.
NBA rumors: Lakers insider reveals why trade for Jazz star is unlikelyScotty White ·
Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks defends Western Conference forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Giannis Antetokounmpo sounds off on LeBron James’ ‘no bag’ mic dropJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ Luka Doncic seen putting in offseason work in the gymRexwell Villas ·

After Anthony Davis demanded a trade earlier this year, the Lakers spent nearly a full month in constant trade rumors, with many of the team's young players being asked daily questions on if they thought they would be on the team after the trade deadline.

While no blockbuster trade was made, it was painfully aware to anyone watching the Lakers games that the team lacked some chemistry during those times, and without a healthy LeBron James in the lineup, the Lakers struggled to win many games.

It isn’t surprising to see Buss take this stance either, as she’s also been around during the heyday of the Lakers, when Kobe Bryant was famously known for demanding trades to keep the team in contention.

Regardless, it isn’t untrue that teams do lose chemistry thanks to trade rumors, but with the trade deadline and speculation one of the biggest moments in the league, and fans loving it on social media, it’s unlikely that the NBA will address it in any meaningful way.