NBA insider gives ‘no chance’ verdict on LA Lakers and suggests only one way out

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The Los Angeles Lakers are ending the year in a bit of a slump.

The Los Angeles Lakers closed out Christmas Day with more questions than answers after suffering a heavy 119–96 loss to the Houston Rockets, spoiling Luka Dončić’s return from injury. The defeat marked LA’s third straight loss, dropping them to 19–10 and triggering growing concern around the team’s long-term prospects.

While the Lakers remain fourth in the Western Conference standings, their recent form has raised alarm bells inside and outside the organisation — including from respected NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor.

‘No chance’ without roster changes, says Kevin O’Connor

According to O’Connor, the Lakers’ front office has no choice but to reshape the roster if it wants to contend this season.

“Trades are coming in Los Angeles. Just a matter of who and when. Without them, this team has no chance of winning a title this year,” O’Connor wrote on X.
“That much is obvious after watching the Lakers as of late and listening to what JJ Redick said postgame.”

Frustration is now surfacing publicly. Redick has begun calling out player performances, and the early-season momentum that once masked structural issues has faded. The verdict from around the league is increasingly clear: the current version of this roster cannot survive a deep postseason run, much less chase a championship.

Lakers’ trade flexibility gives them one clear path forward

If Rob Pelinka does pull the trigger, the Lakers are well-positioned to act. Several expiring contracts — including Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber — provide immediate financial flexibility for upgrades, particularly on the bench.

The franchise cornerstone group of Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton is considered untouchable. However, players who have slipped out of Redick’s rotation — such as Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt — could become trade chips in the search for stability and depth.

For a team built around win-now superstars, the message from league insiders is stark: without decisive moves at the trade deadline, the Lakers’ championship hopes may already be slipping away.