Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said today that the team’s recent lackluster play might force him to make a trade. He told a reporter from NBA.com: “Regarding a trade, I may have to. I’m not saying that I’ve made calls today or I’ll make them tomorrow. But I just don’t think that we’re playing as well as our talent level should allow us.”

He also said: “I try to be as objective as possible, but I’m concerned that our performance is not living up to our talent level. Our record is certainly OK. But we’ve lost a bunch of home games. We’ve lost a couple of big games at home. And to me, those are red flags.

“I’m not convinced it’s lack of talent. I think it’s there. Our team is very similar — certainly our starting five is exact — as the team last year. Yes, we’re a year older. But it’s not like our guys are 34, 35 or 36. They’re all between 29 and 31 or 32. I think we’ve added a couple players that may make our roster even stronger, with Steve Blake and Matt Barnes. … You don’t age off the charts in one year when you’re 30 or 31.”