“Pressure can burst pipes, but it can also make diamonds.” Robert Horry nailed it with this one, didn’t he? And honestly, it couldn’t fit the Lakers’ situation better right now. The trade deadline day of February 6 creates huge pressure for teams who need to maximize. Anthony Davis and LeBron James aren’t holding back—they’re saying it loud and clear: this roster ain’t cutting it… Instead, the front office believes the Lakers need only a couple of enhancements before they can be serious contenders. Are they ready to pull the trigger for major changes or does this lead to another disappointing season of “what ifs”?

Anthony Davis has expressed his full support for adding another big man to the team. From his standpoint, the Lakers need another big man, who can complement his game, like during the successful championship season of 2020. AD has all the authority to request help because of how accurately it illustrates his need. When the man plays with a strong defensive center, he achieves his full potential.

JJ Redick’s Cool-Headed Take, Does It Cross the ‘Ignorant’ Line?

Now, let’s dive into the latest chatter about the Lakers and their trade demands. JJ Redick, the LA side’s no-nonsense boss, recently addressed Anthony Davis’ comments on trading for a center and the Lakers being “a couple pieces away” from contention. However, hoops reporter Jovan Buva’s latest tweet highlighted JJ’s unusual yet recurring set of responses:

“JJ Redick on what effect AD’s recent comments about trading for a center and LA being one-to-two pieces away have had on the Lakers’ locker room: ‘None.’”

Redick’s point? This isn’t new.

AD and LeBron have openly expressed their ambitions for titles which hasn’t surprised anybody. In his previous assessment, Redick clarified that he understood the tough business reality of sports transactions. “Those guys want to win, we want to win… It’s a challenging environment to go out and make trades,” he added. And regarding all the rumor stories and public demands affecting the locker room, the Lakers boss had only a straightforward response: “No reaction.”

In other words, while Anthony Davis and King James want to win now, the LA Lakers’ front office is still weighing their options. So the question remains: will Rob Pelinka and Co. act before the deadline, or will they stick with the current roster?

AD’s Plea: Why a Big Man Matters

Let’s rewind for a second. Anthony Davis spoke with Shams Charania recently and didn’t mince words: “I think we need another big. I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been a four and having a big out there.” He’s not wrong. AD’s best days came with guys like JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard holding down the fort at center.

And he’s not just talking nostalgia. Davis backed it up with logic: the 2019-20 Lakers were, in his words, “the perfect construction of a team.” Shooters, defenders, scorers—everyone knew their role, and it led to a championship under Frank Vogel. He genuinely believes this current roster is close but missing a few key pieces. “We are [a couple pieces away], though. I really feel like we are,” he added.

You can feel the urgency in his voice, can’t you? But that urgency is now putting the Lakers’ front office in a tricky spot.

Here’s the big question: Will the Lakers actually make a move? Do they want to? Reports suggest they’re looking at players like Nikola Vucevic, someone who could fill that defensive anchor role AD is begging cover for. But there’s a catch—getting a player like Vucevic means sacrificing draft assets, and let’s face it, those don’t come cheap.

So now we’re all waiting. The trade deadline is just days away, and Pelinka’s next steps could define their season. Will they gamble to keep LeBron and AD happy and chase another title in the short term? Or will they hold tight and risk another disappointing playoff exit again? What would you have done? Drop your strategy below.