LAS VEGAS — The party's over now, so it's time to get back to work.
NBA players, coaches and fans seemed to have a blast during four days of All-Star festivities here, but the season must go on, and the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers face many questions as they resume play.
The Los Angeles Lakers (30-24) exceeded expectations before the break and would be seeded sixth if the Western Conference playoffs began today, but they have lost five in a row and might make a move before Thursday's noon trading deadline.
The Los Angeles Lakers and New Jersey Nets remain far apart on a trade involving Jason Kidd, with the Los Angeles LakersLakers less immersed recently because Kidd's back has flared up, a league source said.
Kidd, 34, had played every game this season until being sidelined last week because of a strained lower back.
The Los Angeles Lakers are also unwilling to part with Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum and, to a degree, Luke Walton, limiting the pool of players the Nets could acquire from them.
Also, the Los Angeles Lakers are somewhat wary of Kidd's weighty contract, which calls for two more seasons at a total of $41 million, which would probablypush them into luxury-tax territory the next two seasons.
If the Nets do decide to deal Kidd to the Los Angeles Lakers for lesser players, it would be strictly a business decision on their part.
As for the Los Angeles Clippers, well, they were a mess before the break, many in the organization acknowledged.
The Los Angeles Clippers (25-28), who have dropped three straight and are playing poorly on defense, squandered a 15-point fourth-quarter lead in losing to the lowly Atlanta Hawks in their last game. They trail the Minnesota Timberwolves by half a game for the West's final playoff spot.
The Los Angeles Clippers have a problem with Corey Maggette, who says he dislikes playing under Coach Mike Dunleavy.
Corey Maggette's agent, Rob Pelinka, earlier in the season requested that the team trade his client. Although Corey Maggette recently declined to comment on whether he would still prefer to leave the Los Angeles Clippers, team sources said the seven-year veteran's outlook has not changed.
The Los Angeles Clippers, however, are not expected to trade Corey Maggette — or make any major moves — before the deadline.
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