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NBA news: What's next for the Los Angeles Lakers after missing out on the playoffs?

The LA Lakers' season effectively came to an unceremonious end on Tuesday night, as their playoff dreams were ended by the league-topping Phoenix Suns.

Heading into the season, the Lakers boasted a supreme roster including LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, and were expected to compete for the championship.

But instead the Lakers have endured a frustrating and disappointing campaign and sit down in 11th in the Western Conference, having only won 31 games this season.
The latest loss came on Wednesday night, as the impressive Phoenix Suns inflicted a 121-110 defeat at the Footprint Center.

"Our goal was to win a championship," Davis said.

"Feel like we had the pieces, but injuries got in the way of that. And that was the difference in the season. I think even though we lost games where all of us was on the floor -- me, Bron, Russ -- I think we're three great players, but we would have figured it out if we logged more minutes together.

"But we weren't able to do that, which makes it tough to be able to compete for a championship when your three best players haven't logged enough minutes together."

While injuries certainly played a role in the demise of the Lakers this season, great teams are usually able to weather the storm without their best players in the lineup and at least beat the teams they should be able to beat with ease.
However, they've lost a ton of games to those such teams from February onward, which has tanked their overall record to nearly 20 games under .500.

Should the Lakers look to trade AD?

Anthony Davis, NBA, LA Lakers
LeBron is under contract through next season, so it's safe to say he'll be in Hollywood for at least one more season.
However, changes are going to need to be made to keep "The King" happy, as LeBron is almost certainly going to want to compete for at least one more ring before he retires.
The Lakers don't have many tradable assets to pull off a blockbuster trade, nor do they have the cap space necessary to land a big-time free agent.
That is where they could look to trade AD, as his value is still high enough where they can get legitimate value back for him, given that he's yet to turn 30 years old.
The New York Knicks could be a fit, as Julius Randle is increasingly likely to be traded. Both teams could pull off a swap, with the Knicks also offering draft picks and other players for cap purposes.
His hometown Chicago Bulls could also be a fit, as AD would be a great fit next to DeMar DeRozan on the pick-and-roll. Nikola Vucevic would likely be sent to L.A. in this event, as he'd be the big man that could help LeBron space the floor. Patrick Williams would also likely have to be sent to the Lakers since Vuc wouldn't be enough for the Bulls to get AD.
AD is highly unlikely to get moved, but if the Lakers want to surround LeBron with the proper depth to compete for a championship, that is something they'll have to consider.

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