PORTLAND -- Facing a team below them in the standings that was playing with a patchwork roster, the Los Angeles Lakers still managed to find a way to lose to the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, 107-105, to fall four games below .500 for the first time this season.
Afterward, LeBron James admitted that Thursday's trade deadline, which could prove consequential for a Lakers team that came into the season openly touting its championship goal, is affecting the team.
"Obviously this is something that's weighing on this group that we're all trying to get through," said James, who led L.