The Los Angeles Lakers are sitting at 31-19, good for fifth in the Western Conference, and by most measures, that’s a solid place to be as we head into the stretch run of the 2025-26 season. But not everyone is thrilled with how things played out at the trade deadline-especially not former All-Star Gilbert Arenas, who made his thoughts known in a way only he can.
Arenas, never one to hold back, took to his show to voice frustration over the Lakers’ lone move at the deadline: acquiring sharpshooter Luke Kennard. For Arenas, the deal didn’t match the high-stakes, headline-grabbing trades the Lakers have pulled off in recent years-moves that brought in the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Luka Dončić.
“When you talk about trades, like trades, like we traded we got LeBron, we traded we got Anthony Davis, we traded and we got Luka,” Arenas said. “You see I’m at the restaurant thinking I’m about to get Wagyu.
They traded and gave me Tofu and I’m supposed to be happy with it. Man if you don’t take this **** back.
He should have been cut, I got six people on my team we can cut, I can guarantee you I won't blink a bit.”
Colorful as ever, Arenas’ analogy might be over the top, but the underlying point isn’t without merit. The Lakers have built a reputation on making bold, franchise-altering moves. And with the team still in win-now mode-anchored by Dončić and LeBron-there’s a real question about whether adding a role player like Kennard moves the needle enough in a loaded Western Conference.
That said, Kennard isn’t just some throw-in. He’s one of the league’s most efficient three-point shooters, knocking down nearly 50% from beyond the arc while averaging eight points per game.
For a team that thrives when the floor is spaced for its primary creators, Kennard’s presence could prove more valuable than it looks on paper. His ability to stretch defenses gives LeBron and Luka more room to operate, and in the playoffs, that kind of spacing can be the difference between a second-round exit and a deep run.
Still, the critique from Arenas taps into something deeper: expectations. This is the Lakers.
They’re not just any team-they’re one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, with the resources and brand power to chase stars whenever they want. And with several impact players reportedly available at the deadline, it’s fair to wonder if the front office played it too safe.
Time will tell whether the Kennard move was enough. If the Lakers go on a run and Kennard hits timely shots in big moments, this trade could look like a savvy, under-the-radar win. But if they fall short and the offense stalls when it matters most, the questions will only get louder-and the pressure to make a bigger splash this summer will be immense.
For now, the Lakers are betting on chemistry, shooting, and the star power they already have. Whether that’s enough to hang another banner in Crypto.com Arena? We’re about to find out.