INDIANAPOLIS _ The Los Angeles Lakers played as if their collective spirit was broken by the persistent trade talks that surround the team.
They were at times mocked by Indiana Pacers fans chanting at them during Tuesday's 136-94 demolition before 17,265 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Even with LeBron James back in the lineup, contributing 18 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and one explosive dunk over Myles Turner, the Lakers lost by their largest margin of the season, and the biggest of James' career.
All the talk in the losing locker room was about dealing with trade rumors involving Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Ivica Zubac going to New Orleans in a deal for Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, another trade to send rookie Svi Mykhailiuk to Detroit was being finalized.
"We have a lot of guys that's been in trade talks the last couple weeks that's never been in that position before," James said. "So, you'll have to ask those guys how they're dealing with it. You can't really ask me. I've never really been a part of that, but I've been a part of teammates" going through it.
"But I know it has to be tough on a lot of our guys, especially our young guys. Right now they've just never been a part of it and they're hearing it every single day and I know that the worst thing that you can do right now is be on social media. And I know all young guys love social media. So that definitely can't help."
When Ingram stepped to the free-throw line with 8:53 left in the first quarter, Pacers fans chanted "LeBron's gonna trade you."
"I heard it. I still made the free throws," Ingram said after scoring 12 points and collecting six rebounds. "I've been through and I've heard worse, way worse things."
Those same chants rained down on Kuzma (12 points) when he shot free throws. After the game, Kuzma was asked what toll the trade rumors are taking on him and his teammates' psyche.
"Obviously it's everywhere," he said. "You can't really not see it, whether you're on your phone or wherever. But at the end of day, we got to figure out a way to block it out and still perform and play.
"Obviously it's tough in this generation and society where you can't even use your phone without seeing something or seeing a text. But that's up to us, and lot of it is our first time going around with it. But obviously we have to be better."
The NBA trade deadline is noon PST Thursday. Perhaps, veteran guard Rajon Rondo was asked, a burden will be lifted after the deadline passes.
"I don't know if it's that simple," said Rondo, who also has been offered in the New Orleans deal. "It's not like the trade deadline happens and then everything is going to be back to normal. Guys are hearing it. It's a different mentality to have obviously.
"Some of the young guys have never been through this situation. I can't speak up for them, but I know when I was that age, you may say it doesn't affect you, but it can mess with you a little bit mentally."
