Anthony Davis trade: LeBron James absence is damaging chances of Lakers landing star

The Lakers have lost seven out of ten games since James was ruled out through a groin strain.

The superstar suffered the injury on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors, and is still sidelined.

He is set to be reevaluated by the Lakers’ management this week, but might not return until Friday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers lost back-to-back games against the Utah Jazz and the Cleveland Cavaliers, both teams have struggled this season.

And Sports Illustrated’s NBA pundit Robin Lundberg suggested that the poor results are damaging the Lakers’ young roster’s trade value.

Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, who were both players who were expected to be used in a potential trade move for New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis.

But neither of the youngsters have shone in James’ absence, and Lundberg hinted that the trade could be made harder by this, as the two will not be rated as highly by New Orleans.

“I’m not surprised [to see the Lakers struggle]” he said.

“I’m not surprised because LeBron James is the most valuable player in the history of basketball.

“I knew that the Lakers were a bad team without LeBron James.

“I think where this really hurts the Lakers is the trade market for their young players.

“You’d think maybe Brandon Ingram would step up in this spot.

“That’s really the issue, do you feel lesser about their young talent now?

“And Luke Walton, who seemed to have passed through all the turbulence, it’s all going to get brought back up again, whether it’s fair or not.

“It’s no surprise that a team that was bad before LeBron came is now bad now that he’s gone.”

The Lakers are next in action on Tuesday night when they face the Chicago Bulls.

It is expected to be the final, or penultimate game James misses through injury.

source: express.co.uk