Getty Lakers' LeBron James during a game against the Chicago Bulls in March 2025 As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers are confronting a dilemma that extends beyond roster upgrades or asset management. Every decision in front of them is being pulled in two different directions, and the margin for error is narrowing. With limited draft capital and few obvious trade chips, the prevailing expectation for much of the season was that the Lakers would take a cautious approach