Lakers 'compromised leverage' could devastate trade opportunities

The NBA's Feb. 8 trade deadline is fast approaching. In typical fashion, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be active in attempting to upgrade their roster. Recent reports have linked the Purple and Gold with a move for Dejounte Murray, which would indicate the front office is looking for guard help. 

Yet, according to Matt Moore of The Action Network, the Lakers could struggle to create an enticing trade package. 

"The Lakers, as was the case in June, will have a hard time finding a taker for D'Angelo Russell in such a deal, and Rui Hachimura's value has dipped some as well," Moore explained. "The Lakers' interest in a trade is significant, but given that they may be dealing from a serious position of compromised leverage, there's skepticism a deal will surface."

If Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is serious about upgrading the roster, he will need to find a buyer for D'Angelo Russell. It makes no sense to trade for a new primary guard while keeping a disgruntled ball-handler on the roster. He will also need to accept that upgrading the guard position could cost him Jarred Vanderbilt or Austin Reaves. At which point, Pelinka would need to decide whether a new guard would be worth the cost of doing business. 

Last season, Pelinka turned the Lakers season around with a flurry of deadline moves. Most of those additions are still on the roster. There is no reason why this team shouldn't be in the upper half of the Western Conference after reaching the conference finals last season. 

If making a splash at the trade deadline doesn't make sense for the Lakers, then Darvin Ham will have to start getting the best out of the team at his disposal. 

The goal is a championship. Another deep playoff run should elevate the value of the role players on the roster and then Pelinka can look at restructuring the construction of the team in the summer. Right now, there is no quick fix. So, the Lakers need to lock in and earn their wins the hard way.