The Lakers recorded an uninspiring, 125–119 win over the Pelicans on Wednesday. LeBron James rebounded from a dismal finish in Memphis, closing against New Orleans with a key and-one, a critical stop, and a big-time three down the stretch. It was a much-needed win for L.A., which needs all the victories it can get. (LeBron also needed a reprieve from a growing chorus of criticism.) The bigger takeaway from Wednesday night, however, was that the entire contest felt like a farce.
For some reason, the Anthony Davis trade saga is playing out more mind-numbingly than maybe any trade demand before.