With the 18-12 Lakers placed fifth in the Western Conference through Saturday and having won seven of their last 10 games, there is an internal belief that (Kobe) Bryant’s theatrics coupled with the current cast of characters might be enough to make a deep playoff run even if no roster moves are made. It’s a good thing, too, as (Mitch) Kupchak certainly didn’t sound as if a deal for Orlando’s Dwight Howard or anyone else was in the works. Kupchak attended a workout for free agent guard Gilbert Arenas last Sunday, but the Lakers aren’t expected to sign him anytime soon — if at all.

“Of course we’ll talk to a lot of teams [about trades], like everybody else does, leading up until the trade deadline to see if there is a way to improve the team,” Kupchak said. “But the likelihood is that this is the team that’s going to finish into the playoffs. That’s just the way it normally works, but we’ll see.”

via Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated