Fake news, ‘Bird Box’: The Lakers are such a mess

The Lakers are barely being held together with a torn band aid.

With the Lakers sitting in very public trade negotiations involving most of their roster for Pelicans star Anthony Davis, a quasi-team mutiny involving Michael Beasley and Luke Walton now apparently never happened.

Beasley, who was reportedly involved in a postgame incident with his coach following Saturday’s loss to the Warriors, told Yahoo Sports on Tuesday that reports of the blowup are being exaggerated.

“This past Saturday after the Warriors game, Coach Walton and our team had a conversation after a tough loss. Despite reports to the contrary, there was nothing physical between Coach Walton, me, or any other teammate,” Beasley said in a statement. “I’ve sat back in the past when stories have been twisted and misreported, but I won’t do that this time. I respect Luke and I respect this team. We are trying to win a championship together.”

Center JaVale McGee was allegedly involved in a separate verbal altercation directed at Walton, but he also shot down those rumors and called it “Fake News”, according to Yahoo Sports.

The recurring drama surrounding Walton has floated around Los Angeles since the beginning of the season. Despite potential successors being lined up for his job, he remains in place – for now.

The Lakers did make a trade on Tuesday, just not one involving Davis. The team acquired Pistons three-point specialist Reggie Bullock for guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and a second-round pick, according to ESPN.

The deal, which is expected to be completed Wednesday, gives the Lakers a solid role player with the ability of knocking down 3s.  Bullock’s shooting 38 percent behind the arc and averages 6.6 attempts from outside per game.

While the move is designed to give the Lakers some depth, Bullock could be used as trade bait or fill a positional need should the Lakers come to some agreement with the Pelicans for Davis before Thursday’s trade deadline.

The ripple effects have been felt throughout the roster. Brandon Igram was taunted with “LeBron’s gonna trade you” taunts by the Pacers crowd in the middle of a 136-94 blowout. LaVar Ball torched the Lakers Monday over son Lonzo Ball’s career and now Kyle Kuzma is trying to hide from trade talks by covering his eyes with a blindfold.

“Maybe I should Bird Box,” Kuzma joked after Tuesday’s defeat.

Kuzma, along with Ball, Ingram and others have been discussed in a potential trade with the Pelicans for Davis.

ESPN reported Tuesday that the Lakers wanted the Pelicans to start engaging with counter-offers for the All-Star, even threatening to end trade talks all together unless the Pelicans show some desire to negotiate.

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