LA Officials Reportedly Confirm Reality of 'Lakers Tax" in Trade Talks

Los Angeles often is asked to part with more than opposing teams in trade talks.

The Los Angeles Lakers decided to stand pat at the trade deadline this season, in part because they believed not making a deal was better than making a bad trade. It was the correct approach from the Lakers front office, but it was still a disappointing deadline all around. 

After a wildly inconsistent season so far, many expected the Lakers to be one of the more active teams in improving their roster. But now the organization will go forward with the guys in the locker room, and they are hopeful of what they can accomplish. 

However, it should be said that the reality of what the Lakers were asked to pay in potential trade deals was far higher than expected. According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the so-called "Lakers Tax" that fans joke about may indeed be a real thing.

"In conversations with rival teams, the Lakers, according to team sources, sensed something of a “Lakers tax,” with Los Angeles believing it was asked to pay more for role players in potential deals than other suitors. The Lakers were surprised by some of the final prices quoted for certain players"

Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic

There were a few names that the Lakers were heavily involved with, but nothing ever materialized. Los Angeles has always been asked to pay more premium prices than other teams around the league, which goes back to this reality.

Teams don't want the Lakers to succeed, thus trying to bleed them dry. Thankfully, general manager Rob Pelinka didn't get tricked into making a bad deal this time around. 

Los Angeles did add to their roster by agreeing to guard Spencer Dinwiddie on the buyout market. If anything, he can provide them with a solid scoring guard who can play good enough defense.

The asking price for some players was far too high this time around, and the Lakers held their ground.