Reports currently forecast Anthony Davis will be sidelined through mid-January... at the earliest. So maybe that's the next 10 or so games, maybe 15, if we're all being reasonably optimistic, based on current information. Where will the Lakers be when he returns? How much time would they have to integrate new parts, even if the team actually made a deal? Does the record even matter, or has the braintrust already made up its mind, short of some sort of miracle development on the trade market? And now that LeBron James has made it abundantly clear he wants/expects to play meaningful basketball games, the kind occurring in playoff series, in his final seasons, how does that factor in? Do the Lakers need to consider LeBron's comments as February's trade deadline approaches? Is there even a meaningful deal out there to make? Are the Lakers more frightened of making a deal or standing pat? How much confidence do they have in the Davis/James core? If they're shaky, whats the taste for risk in trying to turn the page? There are only hard questions, with no easy answers. And most importantly, if LeBron told the team he wanted out, what would that even look like? Would the man who some believe to be the greatest to ever play, who is still putting up really big numbers in the league, have a lot of suitors? How many of those suitors would actually be willing to give the Lakers a quality return in a deal for James? Would it have to be accompanied by a trade sending Davis out of town, too? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Are the Lakers even inclined to make a trade this year? Does their record matter? SEGMENT 2: Are the Lakers more frightened of sticking with the Davis/James core, or actually trying to improve around it? Would they be willing to blow it up? SEGMENT 3: What kind of return could James actually bring? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! PrizePicks First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON NHTSA Drive sober or get pulled over. Click HERE to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices