Lakers Made a Mistake Relying on Retired Darren Collison to Return and Undo Trade Deadline Inaction

The Los Angeles Lakers decided to do nothing at the trade deadline, with two max players already on the payroll. In an effort to patch holes, the team is now looking at potential buyout candidates, or even those who were out of the league this year.

Well, back to the drawing board.

Darren Collison is only 32 years old, but announced his retirement this past summer. The Lakers were reportedly interested in him, and may have relied on him to make a return. That will not be happening.

Collison staying retired may come as a major shock to the Lakers and to fans in general. Yet he clearly retired for a reason, and it is not his fault the Lakers didn't make a trade for a guard before the deadline, though fans have a right to be surprised at his answer after he was seen at a Lakers game with Jeanie Buss recently.

Doing absolutely nothing put too much stock in a potential Collison return. Now, the Lakers need to move fast to add talent before it's too late.

The Lakers must have believed they would get Collison. But having a backup plan in place would have been a wise idea.