Lakers Fans Demand Trades After LeBron James, LA Suffer Embarrassing Loss vs. Nets

Adam WellsJanuary 20, 2024

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

If there wasn’t a sense of panic in the front office for the Los Angeles Lakers before, there probably is now after Friday’s 130-112 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets entered this matchup having lost four straight and nine of their last 10 games. They were held under 105 points in each of the previous three games and had only reached the 130-point mark twice all season.

Los Angeles’ defense completely collapsed in the second half, allowing the Nets to score 68 points on 52.1 percent shooting. LeBron James was uncharacteristically sloppy with all four of his turnovers coming in the final two quarters.

Friday’s loss dropped the Lakers back under .500 at 21-22. They haven’t been able to get over the break-even mark since Dec. 30 (17-16).

Head coach Darvin Ham certainly made it sound like the pressure is mounting for the team.

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaDarvin Ham: “We just have to decide which team we’re gonna be.”

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaDarvin Ham: “It’s over for the excuses. We got to play basketball.”

With just under three weeks remaining until the Feb. 8 trade deadline, Lakers fans are ready to see general manager Rob Pelinka take action to salvage something from this season.

Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkinsTime for Rob Pelinka to start making those calls!!! You see @AustinRivers25 why I told you the other day why this Lakers team ain’t making no damn noise. Just saying tho…

Choco 💫 @ch0colopeRob Pelinka they saying your team can’t do it. They say you don’t have the pieces to get Dejounte. They saying you take too long to do anything relevant. They saying you the reason Bron don’t got 5. How will you respond?? pic.twitter.com/08FSNZo9Zj

Alex @alexisamenaceHow much more complaining until he’s fired? Bron needs to go to Pelinka’s office and demand it at this point https://t.co/PmcTCx1ajp

gent @FaZegentWorst second half from the players I’ve ever seen

Truth @TruthTakes_Trade everyone

Ry @JustRyColeWorried about LaVine contract when LeBron retiring in 2-3 years…it’s just stupid.

Ry @JustRyColeMy 100% crazy brain scenario has been:

Trade Austin, DLo, & Rui with whatever draft compensation needed so long as it gets your LaVine, Murray, and filler.

You gotta be committed to winning with LeBron or not. Can’t have it both ways.

NBA Memes @NBAMemesLebron walking into the locker room seeing who needs to be traded after losing to the Nets pic.twitter.com/Haqff71HRu

Daman Rangoola @damanrLakers 43 games in:

2021-2022: 21-22
2022-2023: 19-24
2023-2024: 21-22

An organization with LeBron James and Anthony Davis consistently being <.500 halfway through seasons is one that is not doing it's job Prior to Friday's game, The Athletic's Jovan Buha reported the Lakers planned to "remain patient" and use the next couple of weeks as an evaluation period before making a trade. As Mike Tyson once said, though, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. The Lakers are at a point where they are getting punched in the mouth on a near-nightly basis. The Nets have looked like one of the worst teams in the NBA for a few weeks at this point, yet they had no problem cooking Los Angeles. Anthony Davis did his usual thing with 26 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks, but it didn't make any difference. Cam Thomas lit up the Lakers with 33 points on 13-of-18 shooting in 32 minutes off the bench. The Lakers will look to end this four-game homestand on a positive note when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.