After ending 2018 as the fourth-best team in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers are in danger of missing the playoffs. They are now 10th in the conference with a 27-27 record, 2.5 games behind the eighth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.

The recent string of losses is hurting not only the Lakers' chances of making the postseason, but also their salary cap room, which is now down to $34.9 million because of a possible high pick in the upcoming NBA Draft:

The Lakers once had around $37-$38 million, which they have been saving in preparation for this summer's free agency. They are expected to go after guys like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson.

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Injuries and inconsistent play are two of the major factors for the recent slump. They lost LeBron James and Rajon Rondo for the entirety of January due to various injuries, while the team's young core of Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart failed to take charge in the absence of the team's two best playmakers.

Los Angeles is still trying to save this season by improving the roster through trades. They recently acquired guard Reggie Bullock from the Detroit Pistons and are still engaged with the New Orleans Pelicans for a potential Anthony Davis trade.

If they somehow make the playoffs this season, the Lakers' cap room will jump back up a bit, and that could really help them in the bidding wars that will take place this upcoming free agency. Any little bit counts.