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
Byron Scott during the Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic on September 13, 2024.
Former Laker Byron Scott reveals Kobe Bryant’s ‘most gangster s**t’ everMiguel La Torre ·
Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium.
LeBron James erupts with huge reaction to Coco Gauff’s French Open winLorenzo J Reyna ·
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kobe Bryant, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers
How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws ‘influence’ from Kobe BryantTomer Azarly ·
LeBron James, Stephen (Steph) Curry, who may be heading to an ESPN NBA broadcasting booth after they retire, after Lakers-Warriors game on December 25, 2024.
ESPN has ‘hopeful’ LeBron James, Stephen Curry wishAndrew Korpan ·
Chris Paul rescinded NBA trade Lakers Hornets
Chris Paul shuts down Hornets-Lakers trade conspiracyJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic’s offseason body transformation has Lakers fans hypedJedd Pagaduan ·

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.